Renewing my passport at DFA Cebu Part 1

I recently went to Cebu to renew my PRC licence and passport. I had to go there the day after Cebu celebrates the Sinulog festival so it was a bit worrying for me going there as 1.) One can hardly book for a place to stay as most affordable pension houses and hotels are full and the only ones available are those belonging to the high end price bracket. 2.) Prices, especially accommodations go way up on those times. Sometimes doubling or tripling in amount. 3.)If you come from the provinces, it could be difficult to purchase a ticket for a ferry ride as most times the trip is overbooked. and lastly 4.) most business establishment are closed after the Sandugo festival. Luckily for me, that was not the case but I digress.

The DFA Cebu branch was recently relocated to Mandaue. It was a bit disheartening to hear as Mandaue is not exactly within the city center of Cebu. However, being someone to recently experience renewing my license at their new location, I hoped that my experience would help you when you eventually renew/apply for you own.

Things to prepare:

• bring your old passport
• photocopy of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and last page of your passport
• black pen
• ePassport application form which you can download here for your convenience. I downloaded the form and filled up the necessary information ahead of time. It really saved me a lot of time.

TIP: wear a shirt that has collars. Or if you are like me and didn't bring any with me on my trip to Cebu, its still okay as they have this black cloth with collar that they would ask you to put on when you have your picture taken.

To reach DFA Cebu:

• hail a Jeepney that is bound for Ayala Mall. If you are clueless on which jeepney to ride, you can ask a reliable person like a security guard to give you information. As of January 2012, the fare from Fuente Osmeña where I was staying going to Ayala was P8.00.
• the jeepney will stop/park at Ayala Mall Terminal which is in front of Ayala Mall. Get off here and go down one level and look for the sign posted above a station that says MANDAUE. Join the line along with the other passengers and wait for the jeepney to come. You can buy food/refreshment at the food stalls that are conveniently located near the stations as you wait for your ride.
• before stepping inside the jeepney, ask for a confirmation from the conductor if the route included in the ride passes by/goes to METRO PACIFIC MALL. This is very important so as to reach your final destination which is the DFA Cebu. The time it took me to reach Metro Pacific Mall, Mandaue was about 40 minutes. It greatly depends on the traffic so riding on a jeepney bound for Mandaue but will not pass by the Pacific Mall is a waste of your precious time. I paid P10.00 for my fare from Ayala to Mandaue.
• get off the jeepney when you reach your destination and walk towards the mall until you get inside. Go to a nearby security guard and 1.ask if this is the Pacific Mall. (I did this just to make sure I really was at the Pacific Mall because the obvious sign that was hanging outside the building didn't convince me at all. Hehehe!) 2.) ask for direction where the DFA is because yes, the DFA Cebu branch is located right inside the Pacific Mall, the 4th floor to be exact.

TIP: sit near the driver or conductor of the jeep and ask nicely that you be dropped off at your desired destination (aka. Ayala Mall/Pacific Mall)  if you are not familiar with the place otherwise you could pass by the place and not know it.

Iced Cofee Heaven

Enjoying my iced cofee from Dunkin Donuts while I work. Pure Bliss!

Applying for a Student's Permit

I've finally bitten the bullet and applied for a driver's license. I know, I know I'm a little late reaching this particular milestone in life but to each her own right? Better late than never. Here's the chronicle of my experience as I tackle the first step in getting a drivers license; THE STUDENT'S PERMIT

1. Inquire about the requirements beforehand so as to come prepared when you reach the LTO Office. In the Tagbilaran City Branch they only require you to bring an original Birth Certificate and a photocopy of it. Don't forget to bring your Marriage Certificate if you are married and photocopy it too.

2. Arrive early so as to avoid the onslaught of people. A no brainer really but a lesson well learned for me, The first time I tried to apply for an SP, I arrived at 1o'clock in the afternoon. I was of course told to return much earlier in the day as there is a cut of time for the processing. In Tagbilaran City, the cut off time is 3pm, moved earlier if there are a lot of people than usual. In my defense, my decision to apply for an SP was totally spontaneous. I got fed up with the idea of relying on other people for transpo when our family have a perfectly usable car which is rarely used.

3. The LTO Office Tagbilaran Branch opens at 8:30am but you can get an application as early as 7:30 am as the guy in charge of the forms comes in early in anticipation to the amount of people arriving there. Get an application form from a guy sitting on a table at the door of the LTO Office. You need an original copy of your Birth Certificate as a cross reference before the guy attaches your photocopy at the back of the application form. Here's how it looks like (I've erased/faded serial numbers and names from the sample below)

Fill up those places I have put a BLUE slash mark along with the type of application, blood type, donor, civil status, hair, eyes, built and complexion. Follow instructions and REMEMBER: Don't Fill up those under the RED box. OK?

 There's a designated place for you to sit down and complete the form so no worries. Ask for help if you have any questions so as not to make erasures in your document. The lady assigned in that area was really helpful.

4. After completing the form, go back to the guy who gave you the said form to check if you have indeed completed all the necessary questions. If everything is A-OK, he would stamp your application form and affix his name and signature. You would then be given a small piece of colored paper with a number written on it as you proceed inside the room to wait.Wait for your number to be called before going to a specific teller and begin the process of being Evaluated.

All SP applicants will be evaluated at Teller 3.

Look at the color of your paper and number. Each teller has a specific color assigned. Remember yours so as not to be confused when other tellers call out a color and a number. Usually they call the numbers out in groups of threes or five.

5. After giving your papers for Evaluation, go back to the sitting area and wait for your name to be called. You'll then be directed to the next teller where they'll take a photo of you using a computer  and ask you to sign your signature digitally.

At Teller 4. I am waiting for my picture to be taken. There's a blue board hanging behind me as a background. They would then give you an electronic pad where you sign your signature digitally,

6. Return to the waiting area again and wait for your name to be called for payment. As of January 2012 the fee for an SP is P317.00

Teller 7 serves as the Cashier

7. After giving the required amount at the teller, you need to go back to the sitting area to wait for your SP.

Teller 6 releases your SP. You have to sign at the ledger after getting your permit then you're free to go.

It took me one hour and 35 minutes from beginning to end of the process. It greatly depends on the number of people transacting their business for that day and how early you arrive at the place. The longest wait was at Tellers 4,7 and 6 as they process all applications whether it be an SP or a renewal of a license.

Whew! What a long post. I'll try to post something similar to this when I finally apply for a driver's license but not after a month of waiting. See you then!

Sorry for the abscence...

I've actually forgotten that I even had a blog until i saw the app for blogger and remembered that I started a blog as an online diary of sorts.

I promised to write in it again but until that time comes, I'll leave you with thia beautiful quote: