DFA Passport Assistance, Apostille Assistance, Rush Passport - these are just few of the many group pages that we can find in Facebook here in the Philippines. Who knows who's legit? Are they in a way directly connected to the DFA? Our law clearly says that online fixers are illegal, as well as transactions made with them. But what choice do we Filipinos have, if it's almost impossible to book for an appointment slot in the DFA website. What choice do we have when we are asked to wait and wait and wait? Is this exactly how the DFA interprets our Republic Act 2018 on efficiency of government service delivery? 

To all my fellow Filipinos who wish to apply,renew or change passports, have their documents authenticated or secure an apostille, whether be it for travel or work abroad, this slow, inefficient system has to be stopped all at once. Scammers are all over social media now and it's a vast sea where they can easily cast their nets and fish for victims. Online assistants are charging too much and it seems that they always have the slots, regular or rush, you'll just need to pay extra, wow! It's so risky that they ask for payment before they look for available slots. Also, they get our personal, important information and who knows where else they're gonna use these for? Some claim to be licensed agencies. Even though, isn't there a way that our government, through the senate, draft a law that prohibits agencies on doing so? Why is passporting here in the Philippines taking that hard,long and risky processing? 

This petition shall serve as our collective voice addressed to the DFA, to hear us and make immediate interventions on these issues. I call on every Filipino citizen, to remind the Secretary of DFA Mr. Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and all other DFA officers, of their duties as public servants. To all OFWs like me, we are already suffering much being away from our families just to provide for our daily needs. We don't want to suffer more from the inefficiency of a government agency who is supposed to be protecting us. Together, let us petition for EFFICIENT DFA SERVICE DELIVERY! Thank you and Mabuhay!