CFO website - unable to load, receiving 403 error message

[marriedtomrg 141]

Up to a week ago, I was able to access the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) website but last Thursday I started getting a 403 Forbidden error message.

 

I have a VPN (which is currently turned off by default because I have a secure WiFi connection), so as an experiment, I tried switching my region from United States to a different country, used HK - and I was able to load the site properly then.

 

Has anyone encountered this? My mom's interview is in April and I am supposed to help her register, so she can obtain her CFO certificate prior to departure. Changing my region is a last resort for me, it would just be helpful to know how I can address this.

 

Thanks. 

[top_secret 2,415]

You are correct.  They do seem to be geoblocking US IP addresses.  I suppose it is their prerogative to do so if they decide to and a VPN is one way to circumvent geoblocking.  If a VPN solves the problem then that is a good solution.  Alternately, for me in the US https://cfo.gov.ph/ seems to be geoblocking but https://manila.cfo.gov.ph/Online_PDOS_Account_Creation/ still seems to work without a VPN.

[jskibo 588]

I needed the visa number to register the inlaws so not sure trying early will speed anything up for you. 

[marriedtomrg 141]

15 hours ago, jskibo said:

I needed the visa number to register the inlaws so not sure trying early will speed anything up for you. 

I am aware that she needs visa in hand, thanks. Spent time creating checklists for her and I was able to visit CFO website without issues until a week ago. I just worry that the blocking will continue until we are ready to register her, which I don't want. We have the VPN as a back up if it is still blocking us.

[marriedtomrg 141]

On 3/27/2023 at 4:20 PM, top_secret said:

You are correct.  They do seem to be geoblocking US IP addresses.  I suppose it is their prerogative to do so if they decide to and a VPN is one way to circumvent geoblocking.  If a VPN solves the problem then that is a good solution.  Alternately, for me in the US https://cfo.gov.ph/ seems to be geoblocking but https://manila.cfo.gov.ph/Online_PDOS_Account_Creation/ still seems to work without a VPN.

Yes I am able to see that link. I realize they have options for just completing everything online - Mom is 75, so she is exempted from the seminar - what we are thinking of doing is having her complete the process in person - still need to help her register, though. That is the prerequisite. Unless someone can tell me otherwise.

[jskibo 588]

7 hours ago, marriedtomrg said:

Yes I am able to see that link. I realize they have options for just completing everything online - Mom is 75, so she is exempted from the seminar - what we are thinking of doing is having her complete the process in person - still need to help her register, though. That is the prerequisite. Unless someone can tell me otherwise.

Over 60 and she just registers and gets the sticker. No class. 

 

The sticker will come in months but you will get a pdf with a QR code to print and that's all you need. 

 

Good luck. 

Edited March 30, 2023 by jskibo

[marriedtomrg 141]

14 hours ago, jskibo said:

Over 60 and she just registers and gets the sticker. No class. 

 

The sticker will come in months but you will get a pdf with a QR code to print and that's all you need. 

 

Good luck. 

Gotcha. We have a time element. We are arriving in the Philippines May 29 and returning June 6 - we anticipate that she will have her visa within a couple of weeks after her April 13 interview. I would rather have her complete the processing in person so she can get both the certificate and the sticker in one visit.

[jskibo 588]

2 hours ago, marriedtomrg said:

Gotcha. We have a time element. We are arriving in the Philippines May 29 and returning June 6 - we anticipate that she will have her visa within a couple of weeks after her April 13 interview. I would rather have her complete the processing in person so she can get both the certificate and the sticker in one visit.

Completely up to you, however you don't need the sticker if you have the certificate. 

 

And if time is an issue you can complete the online registration and receive the certificate in 8-10 minutes so not sure what showing up at an office saves you, but good luck on your journey 

[marriedtomrg 141]

5 hours ago, jskibo said:

Completely up to you, however you don't need the sticker if you have the certificate. 

 

And if time is an issue you can complete the online registration and receive the certificate in 8-10 minutes so not sure what showing up at an office saves you, but good luck on your journey 

Thanks, appreciate it!

Edited March 31, 2023 by marriedtomrg
Added info