Senator seeks inquiry into reported passport fixers operating online
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is calling on the Senate to look into the reported prevalence of passport renewal “fixers” operating online.
Sen. Leila de Lima filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 921 on Tuesday, directing the Senate to conduct an inquiry "with the end view of cutting red tape and improving the Department of Foreign Affairs’ passport renewal service and providing quality public service to the Filipino people."
"[T]he presence of red tape in government transactions makes for a veritable breeding ground for 'fixers' who capitalize and exploit these systemic inefficiencies for financial gain," she said.
De Lima cited reports that fixers are capitalizing on delays in the passport renewal services, reserving several slots on DFA's website and selling them on Facebook.
DFA in April warned the public against purchasing passport appointment slots online, stressing that appointments can only be made through its website.
"Without question, 'fixers' are unscrupulous individuals who knowingly prey on the vulnerabilities and desperation of others for financial gain," she said. "However, it cannot be denied that the prevailing inefficiencies in government services are also an enabling factor in the prevalence of such predatory practices."
DFA looking to open more passport service sites
In a statement last Friday, DFA said it hopes to open a total of 17 temporary offsite passport services facilities across the country before the end of the year.
DFA Assistant Secretary Senen Mangalile during a press briefing that same day said they were able to process only 1.7 million passport applications last year due to the pandemic, down from the four million processed in 2019.
On August 31, DFA told lawmakers at the House of Represetatives that it had an estimated backlog of 3 to 4 million passport renewals due to the continued interruption of consular services amid the pandemic.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said the department would need an extra P53 million to address these backlogs by opening 10 more TOPS facilities.
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