PARAÑAQUE CITY, (PIA) -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. launched the Department of Foreign Affairs Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (DFA-TOPS) in six locations Wednesday, making available an additional 2,500 passport appointment slots per day.

Locsin, with Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Brigido J. Dulay and SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan, officially opened the SM Mall of Asia TOPS. Also launched simultaneously by DFA Office of Consular Affairs officials were the other TOPS offices in SM City North Edsa, Robinsons Place Magnolia, SM Aura, Robinsons Place Las Piñas. In addition, an off-site courtesy lane was also launched at Ayala Malls Glorietta to allow for easier access to qualified applicants with urgent travel needs.

“As the clamor for more slots heightened, we listened and acted, and today we offered a solution… If this is not enough, tell us and we will listen and act as only the DFA can,” said Secretary Locsin, emphasizing that the five TOPS offices would open an additional 177,500 passport appointment slots during its run from July 7 until the end of September.

The Secretary also shared that more temporary sites will be opened outside Metro Manila in the coming weeks to provide passport services in regions where there is also a high demand for passport services.

Applicants who wish to renew their passport at the TOPS may book their appointments at the official Passport Online Appointment System at passport.gov.ph. (DFA/PIA-NCR)