Filipinos want inefficient Embassy staff replaced
Published on: Thursday, June 16, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Inefficient staff and those involved in panky-panky at the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur should be sent back to Manila, said Filipinos here.They were responding to a report entitled "Filipinos Cry Foul Over Poor Embassy Service" in DE on June 12, 2016.A random survey of Filipinos here said these deadwood should be replaced with those who are qualified and dedicated.
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The community took exception to the manner in which the Embassy conducted its consular missions in the State.Among the complaints included lack of transparency of scheduled consular missions, lack of public notices of the various documentation fees, requirements including waiting period, poor telecommunication services and lack of effective system during consular missions."No Filipinos should be made to wait and queue for long hours when dealing with government services. Instead, they should be given a number and stub for applicants to come back at the indicated day and time."
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This was clearly said by incoming Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte days after he was proclaimed winner of the 2016 general election.Although Duterte only assumes office on June 30, government offices and institutions both abroad and at home automatically implemented the verbal directive.
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The affected Filipinos, especially Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) employed in areas away from the city or towns, claimed it was difficult for them to rely on the Embassy's Facebook account for information and updates as suggested by the Embassy."Not all of us can afford computer or telephone set with Internet gadgets. We are mostly relying on radio and newspaper announcements, apart from the mouth-to-mouth news dissemination," one of them said.Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy released to Daily Express the official consular fees and requirements.The official consular fees are: e-passport (RM255), lost e-passport (RM 637.50), lost MRP/green passport (RM382.50), extension of validity (RM85), National (RM106.25) report of birth (RM106.25), report of marriage (RM106.25) and authentication (RM106.25).The Embassy said those applying for a new passport are required to appear personally (for taking of biometrics) and children seven years old and below, their fingerprints and signature will not be taken and a parent will sign on their behalf.For first time passport application (born in the Philippines), the Embassy said all applicants are required to duly accomplish the application form supported with birth certificate security paper ((SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or certified true copy of birth certificate. Applicant must also submit a joint birth affidavit signed and executed by two disinterested persons and their passport and or IC copy. Affidavit of community leader/ketua kampung and IC/passport.For applicants born in Malaysia, the requirements include four duly accomplished report of birth certificate (all original copies) and four copies of birth certificate (original will be brought for counter checking).Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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