DFA won't release passport until CFO seminar

[RK_and_Inday 10]

To all frequenting Philippine regional forum:

I (RK) and fiancee (Inday), need help/suggestions, please. You can find the longer version here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/303041-passport-renewal-without-cfo-seminar-possible/

In short, Inday, living in Western Visayas, renewed her passport at regional DFA office which is about one hour (one way) from her residence. However, despite passport having been renewed and despite Inday's now multiple trips to DFA, DFA agent & manager absolutely refuse to give Inday her passport until she attends CFO seminar in Manila or Cebu. She will do so, of course, in due time but at this time potential multiple trips back and forth from her province to Manila or Cebu is non-trivial. Previous VJ posts and other internet sites describe same situation/frustration for many individuals. In many of those cases, individual resolved by re-doing passport application and writing reason for travel as "tourist" and were only then given their passport then that individual, uh, conveniently "forget" about tourism plans and focused on visa journey. Integrity and honesty are extremely, extremely important to Inday and myself so that solution is not desirable. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

RK

[sjr09 155]

To all frequenting Philippine regional forum:

I (RK) and fiancee (Inday), need help/suggestions, please. You can find the longer version here:

http://www.visajourn...minar-possible/

In short, Inday, living in Western Visayas, renewed her passport at regional DFA office which is about one hour (one way) from her residence. However, despite passport having been renewed and despite Inday's now multiple trips to DFA, DFA agent & manager absolutely refuse to give Inday her passport until she attends CFO seminar in Manila or Cebu. She will do so, of course, in due time but at this time potential multiple trips back and forth from her province to Manila or Cebu is non-trivial. Previous VJ posts and other internet sites describe same situation/frustration for many individuals. In many of those cases, individual resolved by re-doing passport application and writing reason for travel as "tourist" and were only then given their passport then that individual, uh, conveniently "forget" about tourism plans and focused on visa journey. Integrity and honesty are extremely, extremely important to Inday and myself so that solution is not desirable. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

RK

Am I understand the requirement right? In order for her to attend the CFO seminar she must have her passport as one of the documents for CFO registration?

You may avail of the Guidance and Counseling Session even while you are still processing or waiting for your visa. If such is the case, you will only be issued the GCC. Once your visa is released, you will return to CFO to continue with your registration. The CFO sticker will then be affixed on your passport.

To attend the seminar, you may proceed to either two of CFO's service providers: the

St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation-Center for Overseas Workers (SMEF-COW) or the People's Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization, Inc. (PRISM) .

You will have to bring with you the required documents to be accommodated in the counseling seminar.

required documents

Requirements for Registration

Original and photocopy of Passport;

Original and photocopy of visa;

Original and photocopy of Immigrant Data Summary for US bound/ Confirmation of Permanent Residence for Canada bound/ Certification of Eligibility (for Japan-bound);

Original CFO guidance and counseling certificate;

Duly completed emigrant registration form ; and

Payment of the authorized registration fee.

Requirements for Attendance to Guidance and Counseling Program

Two (2) valid identification cards (IDs) with photograph;

Duly completed guidance and counseling form;

If married, certified true copy and photocopy of marriage contract on security paper from the National Statistics Office, or Local Civil Registry Offices; or original and photocopy of marriage contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate (if married abroad)

Other documents as may be required by the counselors; and

Payment of P250.00 counseling fee.

　

http://www.cfo.gov.p...d=329&Itemid=78

[sjr09 155]

EDIT

So it looks like she has to make two trips.

[RK_and_Inday 10]

sjr--Thank you for response and your time. You are correct, two trips at least if can not obtain passport from DFA at this time. We are trying to avoid this plus trying to get passport in hand now so as to prepare for other passport required items along the k1 visa process. Your summary/reference is essentially correct and what I have seen on CFO website, although there seem to be a few inconsistencies here and there on the site (or I am misinterpreting). Unfortunately, digging a bit deeper into past VJ CFO-related posts reveals numerous CFO-related problems for attendees including fact that sometimes attending CFO session goes quite well but not uncommonly the vague "Other documents as may be required by the counselors" sends attendees back for more trips which in our case could mean 3 (or more?) trips if things don't work out well! Again, even one trip is non-trivial.

Again, thank you for your input and your time which is appreciated. All input, suggestions, and comments are welcome.

RK

[sjr09 155]

Perhaps you can email Prism let them know about DFA problem and inquire if any

"Other documents as may be required by the counselors" this may help?

Good Luck

[proud_bisaya 3]

To all frequenting Philippine regional forum:

I (RK) and fiancee (Inday), need help/suggestions, please. You can find the longer version here:

http://www.visajourn...minar-possible/

In short, Inday, living in Western Visayas, renewed her passport at regional DFA office which is about one hour (one way) from her residence. However, despite passport having been renewed and despite Inday's now multiple trips to DFA, DFA agent & manager absolutely refuse to give Inday her passport until she attends CFO seminar in Manila or Cebu. She will do so, of course, in due time but at this time potential multiple trips back and forth from her province to Manila or Cebu is non-trivial. Previous VJ posts and other internet sites describe same situation/frustration for many individuals. In many of those cases, individual resolved by re-doing passport application and writing reason for travel as "tourist" and were only then given their passport then that individual, uh, conveniently "forget" about tourism plans and focused on visa journey. Integrity and honesty are extremely, extremely important to Inday and myself so that solution is not desirable. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

RK

This happened to me a while ago also. Been there 3 times already back and forth till I changed my purpose of getting passport to TOURIST and OMG!! that was the only time they said you are APPROVED to get and have your passport. grrrrr they even told me to attend CFO seminar 1st before applying. I was fortunate enough when one of my friend told me to re- apply  and put the purpose into TOURIST.

So, for those who are going to get their passport this would the best trick I can give to you......

GOOD LUCK.........

Edited April 5, 2011 by proud_bisaya

[RK_and_Inday 10]

This happened to me a while ago also. Been there 3 times already back and forth till I changed my purpose of getting passport to TOURIST and OMG!! that was the only time they said you are APPROVED to get and have your passport. grrrrr they even told me to attend CFO seminar 1st before applying. I was fortunate enough when one of my friend told me to re- apply  and put the purpose into TOURIST.

So, for those who are going to get their passport this would the best trick I can give to you......

GOOD LUCK.........

Proud Visaya - Thank you for reply! Very, very sorry you also had to go through same frustration. This was surprise for us. Inday went to renew passport, passport was renewed succesfully, and passport already came to DFA RCO; she went to DFA RCO to pick passport up, then at DFA they would not hand over passport, only then telling Inday go to CFO first then come back and get passport. Understand your frustration of multiple trips because Inday has done same trying to get passport but when DFA would not budge started looking at past posts here and other sites trying to find solution. Found many, many others also had same problem. Also many past posts showed that many did same as you--put "TOURIST" as purpose then got passport. We would feel badly to do that because we want to stay honest in all--besides Inday's passport already is physically at DFO office, wonder if such would cause more frustrations and confusions.

I am very, very glad you were finally able to get your own passport. Inday and I both truly thank you for sharing your own experience and suggestion. Please pray our frustrations in this regard will soon end and may God continue to bless you in your own visa journey and all endeavours!

RK and Inday

[RK_and_Inday 10]

Perhaps you can email Prism let them know about DFA problem and inquire if any

"Other documents as may be required by the counselors" this may help?

Good Luck

SJR - Good idea. Thank you! --RK & Inday

[RK_and_Inday 10]

This happened to me a while ago also. Been there 3 times already back and forth till I changed my purpose of getting passport to TOURIST and OMG!! that was the only time they said you are APPROVED to get and have your passport. grrrrr they even told me to attend CFO seminar 1st before applying. I was fortunate enough when one of my friend told me to re- apply  and put the purpose into TOURIST.

So, for those who are going to get their passport this would the best trick I can give to you......

GOOD LUCK.........

To Proud Bisaya, and potential future readers of this topic,

In this post, we give the result of the "end" of our saga. We hope that this post and the other posts in this topic will help other individuals who may encounter a similar dilemma--or will help others to avoid such a dilemma.

The Short story: Inday went to DFA, with all documentation listed in my last post. DFA still wouldn't release passport but one week later, on April 11th, Inday managed to get her passport. Thank you everybody for your help!

Long(er) version explaining how Inday was able to get her passport: When Inday went to DFA office (yet again) at beginning of April, DFA agent still would not release passport. But this agent passed to Inday his personal handphone number "in case he could help." But Inday avoided working "outside the office" with this agent, still trying to properly work with agent at DFA office and was still refused passport. And DFA manager was on "same page" as DFA agent so no help there. So Inday left the DFA office, yet once again, without her passport. One of Inday's friend heard of Inday's plight, told Inday if she would go back to the DFA office again, to let her know when Inday was going and this friend coulld possibly help--in an honest way. So...Inday returned to DFA on April 11, was still refused passport by same agent. This time the agent even whispered to Inday that DFA "could provide a lawyer" (for a fee of course) to help her out. Inday refused that "option." Inday's friend had sent a relative who worked with the local media to DFA at that same day and time as Inday was at the DFA office. The relative "happened to be doing a media piece" on DFA and began interviewing employees. As this ensued, DFA agent who had been speaking to Inday, suddenly changed his tune. This agent now became very and extremly helpful, had Inday sign a easy/standard release form, and immediately handed over Inday's passport with no problem.

Inday is ecstactic to have her passport in hand. Inday and I are both disappointed in the extortive attempts by this agent to have "the wheels greased" by implying extra fees could help the passport release. Honesty does pay in the long run although it can be hard work but it is worth the reward.

RK and Inday

Edited April 18, 2011 by RK_and_Inday

[KT and Xyrena 4]

To Proud Bisaya, and potential future readers of this topic,

In this post, we give the result of the "end" of our saga. We hope that this post and the other posts in this topic will help other individuals who may encounter a similar dilemma--or will help others to avoid such a dilemma.

The Short story: Inday went to DFA, with all documentation listed in my last post. DFA still wouldn't release passport but one week later, on April 11th, Inday managed to get her passport. Thank you everybody for your help!

Long(er) version explaining how Inday was able to get her passport: When Inday went to DFA office (yet again) at beginning of April, DFA agent still would not release passport. But this agent passed to Inday his personal handphone number "in case he could help." But Inday avoided working "outside the office" with this agent, still trying to properly work with agent at DFA office and was still refused passport. And DFA manager was on "same page" as DFA agent so no help there. So Inday left the DFA office, yet once again, without her passport. One of Inday's friend heard of Inday's plight, told Inday if she would go back to the DFA office again, to let her know when Inday was going and this friend coulld possibly help--in an honest way. So...Inday returned to DFA on April 11, was still refused passport by same agent. This time the agent even whispered to Inday that DFA "could provide a lawyer" (for a fee of course) to help her out. Inday refused that "option." Inday's friend had sent a relative who worked with the local media to DFA at that same day and time as Inday was at the DFA office. The relative "happened to be doing a media piece" on DFA and began interviewing employees. As this ensued, DFA agent who had been speaking to Inday, suddenly changed his tune. This agent now became very and extremly helpful, had Inday sign a easy/standard release form, and immediately handed over Inday's passport with no problem.

Inday is ecstactic to have her passport in hand. Inday and I are both disappointed in the extortive attempts by this agent to have "the wheels greased" by implying extra fees could help the passport release. Honesty does pay in the long run although it can be hard work but it is worth the reward.

RK and Inday

I am sooo glad that finally Inday got her passport and through the most honest (yet painful) way to go....however I am soooooo disappointed that there are local government offices and agencies' personnel who are still corrupt (and I think this will be part of a century old culture). If Inday is willing, I hope she'd report to higher DFA official or media that corrupt agent who have no right and should not be in that position whatsoever. People who don't respect their jobs should not be given one at all. I have lived in the Philippines for 26 years and accepted the culture to move along and grow but when I personally encounter people who gets in my way to get more money out of me or just being a pain in my butt, I use my connection to sack them out. Call me an on the spot auditor.

God bless!