THUMBS UP FOR DFA BAGUIO! Unknown to many, passport processing at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in SM Baguio is as quick and easy as A B C.

A journalist told me how she found this out after she went to Robinsons Mall in Calasiao town which has a newly-opened DFA office two weeks ago, for renewal of her passport. She arrived five minutes before the mall opened at 10:00 a.m, then quickly rushed to the DFA office at the second floor, only to find out she was seventh in the line that formed to be assisted by a front desk officer.

But to her dismay, she and the rest of those who queued were told the daily quota of 50 to 60 only applicants to be assisted had been reached. “How could that be?”, she asked.

She was told applicants started to line up as early as 3:00 a.m.! She wondered where they lined up! “May I be given my number now for processing tomorrow since I’m already here?” she appealed.

“No, ma’am, you have to be at the mall main entrance as early as 3:00 a.m. and register at the guard’s logbook,” she was informed. OMG! Grabe!

Frustrated, she asked her relatives in Baguio where she was told processing of passport at the DFA office in SM Baguio is effortless, especially on Mondays and Saturdays. So she took the trip on Dec.12, (Saturday) and arrived in SM Baguio a shortly before the mall opened. She was given number 41 and was initially assisted by the guard in checking her documents and was advised to proceed to the DFA office as soon as the mall opens at 10:00 a.m. She did as told. Tik tak tik tak tik tak.

Rejoice, rejoice! The processing was so smooth with easy procedures to follow through four desks/booths manned by employees, ready with courteous smiles.

Believe it or not, she was done with her application in barely 45 minutes. She was told to return on Jan. 4, 2016 to pick up her renewed passport although she was given a choice for a mail courier service.

Yes, kabaleyans, that was easy. Here’s a snappy salute to DFA employees in its SM Baguio office. Tenk you, tenk you, ang babait ninyo at ang bibilis ninyong magtrabaho, tenk you! Sana lahat ng opisina ng gobyerno ay gagaya sa inyong ehemplo. HELLO Pangasinan DFA! —Tita Roces

 

TOYING WITH ORDINANCES. Is the effectivity of an approved ordinance dependent on the date of submission of documents required by councilors?

If two members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod are to be believed, they will tell you glibly that no approved ordinance can be implemented unless required documents, after the fact, are submitted to the city council.

“You submit the documents tomorrow, the law becomes effective tomorrow,” was how one tried to impress the media.

But of course, there is no such thing as conditional effectivity of an ordinance, like submission of additional documents after the body ahs voted to pass an ordinance. An ordinance is not like a memorandum of understanding where its provisions can be withheld or suspended subject to some conditions. Once an oridnance is passed, it becomes law.

The two were obviously trying to impress that anyone who cares to listen to them that the implementation of an ordinance is discretionary on the part of the councilors. And they call themselves honorable councilors? – Leonardo Micua

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

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