Saab Magalona took to her Twitter last July 17 to relate her annoying experience in transacting business with the Department of Foreign Affairs while applying for a passport for her baby son Pancho.

Magalona was confused regarding the expedited and regular processing fee, unsure if Pancho, who is less than 1 year old, was required to pay the expedited processing fee, which is more expensive.

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“Is it true that if the passport applicant is a minor, required na expedited processing fee (1200) instead of regular processing fee (950) ang bayaran?” Magalona asked. “I asked where that rule is stated and they said ‘Sabi ng mga nasa itaas.’”

DFA reached out to Magalona via Twitter and clarified about the guidelines. “Good day, PWDs, Senior Citizens, pregnant women and solo parents are entitled by law to avail of the Courtesy Lane and have the option to choose between P950/P1200,” wrote DFA. “Minors 7yo and below have no legal entitlement to the Courtesy Lane and are charged P1200.”

Good day, PWDs, Senior Citizens, pregnant women and solo parents are entitled by law to avail of the Courtesy Lane and have the option to choose between P950/P1200. Minors 7yo and below have no legal entitlement to the Courtesy Lane and are charged P1200: https://t.co/ar9OGLWfsv — DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) July 17, 2018

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Magalona thanked DFA for the clarification, as nobody she asked from the DFA NCR EAST could explain it to her.

Okay, thanks for clarifying because nobody I asked in DFA NCR EAST could explain it. — Saab (@saabmagalona) July 17, 2018

Magalona set out for DFA Megamall last July 18 to apply for Pancho’s passport. However, she shared that when she got there at 12 noon, she was told to return at 2 p.m.

“I got to DFA Megamall at 12nn yday and the guard gave me a stub that said ‘2PM’ tapos balik nalang daw ako kasi next slot is 2PM na,” wrote Magalona. “‘Ikot na muna kayo sa mall.’ I said ‘Ummmm can I talk to someone in charge?’ Lunch breaks are not allowed.”

By the way I got to DFA Megamall at 12nn yday and the guard gave me a stub that said “2PM” tapos balik nalang daw ako kasi next slot is 2PM na. “Ikot na muna kayo sa mall.” I said “Ummmm can I talk to someone in charge?” Lunch breaks are not allowed. — Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018

She then shared that she was finally let in when she started to question the people at DFA Megamall. “They made me feel as if I owe it to them for accommodating me kahit na dapat 2pm pa ako. ‘Kahit mga naka-wheelchair po, 2pm na namin pinabalik.’”

They finally let me in when I started questioning them and they made me feel as if I owe it to them for accommodating me kahit na dapat 2pm pa ako. “Kahit mga naka-wheelchair po, 2pm na namin pinabalik.” — Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018

Magalona continued to say that nobody was manning the courtesy lane and shared a picture of the center.

“When I went inside, NOBODY WAS SEATED AT THE PRIORITY LANE SECTION. Pinaghihintay nila ang mga PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant, and minors? Why?”

True enough, nobody was manning the courtesy lane. When I went inside, NOBODY WAS SEATED AT THE PRIORITY LANE SECTION. Pinaghihintay nila ang mga PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant, and minors? Why? They denied lunch break but what other explanation is there? pic.twitter.com/vlvZeJe5Sp — Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018

She added that since government offices were suspended in the afternoon that day, she wouldn’t have gotten Pancho’s passport if she came back at 2 p.m.

“BTW Govt offices were suspended in the afternoon yesterday,” said Magalona. “If I had waited like they said, I wouldn’t have been able to get my son’s passport.” /ra

BTW Govt offices were suspended in the afternoon yesterday. If I had waited like they said, I wouldn’t have been able to get my son’s passport. — Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018

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