QUEZON CITY -- The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) reiterated its call for government agencies to observe the Zero Backlog Program when it comes to the documents they are processing.

Secretary Jeremiah Belgica, ARTA Director General, said this after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin, Jr. admitted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has a 3 million-backlog in its passport issuance and renewal applications.

“Sa mga government agencies, let us be fast and efficient and not allow backlogs to build up. Kawawa ang mga tao. Let us strive to give them the government service that they deserve,” he said.

“I understand that there is a pandemic and it is difficult to continue work as usual, but we should not use this as a reason to shortchange the people,” he added.

The Zero Backlog Program is mandated by law under Section 1, Rule VI of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Belgica also assured Locsin of the Authority’s help in easing the DFA’s backlog and streamlining its services.

In a tweet on 12 July 2021, Locsin said he is eyeing to erase the agency’s backlog “in a few months.”

The ARTA chief commended the DFA Secretary for ordering the opening of additional temporary off-site passport services (TOPS) offices to expedite the processing of passport applications for issuance and renewal.

On 5 July 2021, the DFA opened five TOPS sites in five malls in Metro Manila that was seen to add an additional 177,000 passport application slots until September.

During his inspection at the DFA Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) on 28 June 2021, ARTA was informed that the issues in the DFA’s appointment system stemmed from its lack of manpower, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the DFA OCA set up a “Courtesy Lane” that senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, minors aged seven years old and below, solo parents, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and exceptional and emergency cases can access in a bid to decrease the number of people falling in line.

Those who wish to apply for the Courtesy Lane must first go through the Passport Appointment System at passport.gov.ph. Other requirements can be found at https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/services/passport/passport-cl.

On 9 July 2021, Senator Koko Pimentel also invited ARTA to investigate the provisions of the law on the necessary documents for passport applications. (ARTA)