despite the electronic appointment system, the whole passport renewal process is at the DFA consular office at the aseana area in macapagal avenue was a nightmare

i spent from 1230H to 1530H just to get my passport renewed from the green passport to the e-passport

my experience:

1. my appointment was for 1330H. i was there as early as 1230H. people whose appointment was at 1330 were already crowding the small entrance. kids were being crushed in the horde of humanity. no ropes or separation lines whatsoever. no special lines for parents with kids.

2. it was raining and the roof/tent/tarpaulin over all the waiting areas were leaking. people were drenched and the rain was not even hard, just moderate

3. at the encoding area, there are only two 32" screen tvs that displayed the number being served and the encoder's booth. at some seats, you cannot even see the tv.

4. the only comfort room i saw were located outside the building. there were no comfort rooms inside the processing area, the payment area or the encoding area

5. and the size of the men's comfort room: only 3 cubicles and 2 urinals serving more than 100 men. so imagine the line. in the women's comfort room, the line extended outside and began to cut through the line for door 4 and the verification of the application form.

6. the other lines were chaotic with no discernible flow. for example: the line in going to door 4 for processing cuts through the line for the verification of the application form. inside, the line for getting the priority number for encoding cuts through the line going to the encoder's booth from 23 upwards. so imagine how many people you have to say excuse me to or cut off

kung may taga DFA consular dito, ito lang masasabi ko: nakakahiya kayo!!!!!!