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.