Guide for First-Time Passport Applicants in Davao

My Experience Getting My Very Own Passport In Davao City.

  

Before I got my own passport from DFA Davao, I was clueless as to where to begin. I did not know which documents to procure and present upon my application and what to do with them thereafter. But when I managed to complete the process myself, I realized that the process is not as complicated or intimidating as it seems. Hence, I would like to share my experiencing applying for my passport for the first time so that other first-timers can learn more about the process and make it easier for them to handle it.

The most basic step I did when applying for a passport is to obtain the documents required by the DFA. These documents include an NSO-authenticated birth certificate, passport application form (that must be filled out with your personal details), and any 3 supporting documents, such as voter's ID, driver's license, SSS ID, and other IDs issued by the government. All of these documents are designed for personal identification and verification.

Once I had prepared all of the above documents and they are ready, I headed to the DFA office so I can submit those documents. You can visit the DFA office at Jacinto Street fronting the motorpool for Ateneo de Davao University. You can easily identify the building because there is a Philippine flag in front.

There are three important steps involved in the processing of your passport application. First off, you have to set up an appointment so that your application can be processed. The DFA recently issued some changes to the processing format of passports in the country and they also introduced the new e-Passport system. Unlike before wherein you can simply walk into the DFA office and have it processed and released within the same day, the changes has meant that you can only set up an appointment on your first visit to their office. You will be directed to the Information Desk wherein your passport application form is stamped with date and time of the processing schedule for your passport. Without your stamped schedule, you will not be entertained on your next visit.

Then, the actual processing begins at a later date. Don't forget to bring the original and photocopy versions of the required documents to avoid delays. Wait for your turn to be called in at the DFA office because you will be interviewed. Next on the list is the encoding section (this is also when your picture will be taken). An important reminder is that you will get your pictures taken at the DFA office. I did not know this beforehand and so I brought my own pictures during the processing of my passport. But it turns out that is not needed. It is recommended that you review all information to ensure they are correct and then have it verified again before going to the cashier to pay.

On average, passports are released within 23 working days and you have to pay approximately PhP 950. But if you want to get your passport sooner, you can go for express processing with a slightly higher fee of approximately PhP 1,200.

All passports can only be claimed in the afternoon. Don't forget your receipt because it will be presented upon claiming.

What You Need To Know About Applying for Business Permit in Davao

The business sector in Davao has shown exponential growth over the past five years. Indeed, new forms of investments and businesses have opened its doors to the Davaoenos to provide them with more shopping, dining, or entertainment pleasure. Hence, the city government of Davao has enacted a constitution that will encourage entrepreneurs to open their business in the city because it has also helped in the economic growth. One such provision is the “One Stop Shop Program” which ties together the office of the city Mayor and the Business Bureau for faster issuance of business permits and other related transactions.

When a friend of mine recently bought a franchise and wanted to open a business in Davao, I got to witness first-hand the entire process of applying for a business permit. I have to say that the local government has made the process more efficient for entrepreneurs.

The first step that my friend did was to verify the availability of the business name. This process is free but once approved and verified by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the entrepreneur must settle PhP 40 during the first 30 days. The reservation can last up to 120 days, which means you can pay for up to PhP 120.

The law requires all aspiring entrepreneurs to make a deposit that equals over 6 percent of the company's authorized capital stock. Typically, this amount isn't lower than PhP 5,000 although some banks might require additional fees.

At this point, business owners must notarize articles of incorporation before the permit application can be filed on the SEC office. At this point, the registration process will begin with the SEC. This can be done online via the SEC website and you will have to secure a few documents such as verification slip for the name, notized articles of incorporation, notarized treasurer's affidavit, certificate of deposit, and your statement of assets and liabilities. Also, you must shoulder additional fee of PhP 30 for transferring all documents to the head office in Manila.

The next steps would involve paying your community tax certificate (CTC) and obtain barangay clearance. This clearance shall be obtained within the same barangay wherein your business is going to be located in.

Make sure to print out the business permit application form, which you can also download from the website of Davao City. Fill out the application form before it can be encoded, evaluated and verified. After that, you will once again be asked to have the form notarized at the City Legal Office.

Once the above steps had been completed, my friend was issued the TAO or Temporary Authority to Operate. Also, the BIR requires all computerized accounting systems to have it registered by the BIR Computerized System Evaluation Team. This is normally done within 30 days since the application form was received. Along with that, application for the following is also done at this stage in the process: Certificate of Registration and Business TIN.

The last few steps that my friend took care of was to pay the documentary stamp taxes and registration fee so that their business is permitted to issue receipts. The final two steps involve registering the business for the Social Security System and Phil Health Insurance Company.

It was quite a long process by the time of registering a company name to the issuance of business permit. However, with the steps above, you can hopefully get an idea on what you need to do when you plan on opening your own business in Davao.

Pag Ibig Loan in Davao: How to Apply

 Pag-Ibig Housing Loan 

Are you a resident of Davao? Would you like to invest in your own home? You are not alone. Like you, I once dreamed of having my own home and with the increase of housing developments in the city, there are more options available for me to choose from. But then it is only a matter of time when the harsh reality confronted me – can I afford to buy my own home? For this reason, I turned to PAG-IBIG to get a loan so I can finance the purchase of my new home.

An important thing to note before you apply for a PAG-IBIG loan in Davao is that not all developers accept this type of financing. Typically, this loan is accepted only by low- to middle-cost developers. The first thing you should do, like I did, would be to verify with your developer if it would be possible for you to finance the housing with PAG-IBIG.

There are several types of properties that PAG-IBIG members can apply for when obtaining a loan, although residential lots are the most common. Among these other financing options cover for house construction, house improvement, condo units, townhouses, and refinancing of an existing mortgage loan.

There are also certain requirements that members should meet in order to become eligible for a housing loan from PAG-IBIG. First off, you must be a member for a minimum of 2 years with the same amount of monthly contributions and nothing less. Also, applicants should be below 65 years in age and must not reach the age of 70 upon the entire span of the loan. All applicants to the PAG-IBIG housing loan must also be legally capable to obtain real estate properties in Davao, as well as the rest of the Philippines.

Only those without any existing loans at PAG-IBIG will be qualified to apply for housing loans. At the same time, any canceled or foreclosed loans will also automatically disqualify from applying for this loan. Any multi-purpose loans you might have is acceptable, provided that you can show proof of updated payments.

For my loan, I was able to get a housing loan of up to 6 million pesos. I had 7.98 % interest on my loan for the first 3 years, then it will go up to 8.98% for another 5 years, and then finally reaching 10% for 10 years, and so on. Hence, it is important to attend the PAG-IBIG seminar before you apply for a loan because I found it such a helpful avenue to raise concerns or ask any questions I might have about the application process. Repayment of a PAG-IBIG loan can last for up to 30 years.

The information provided here are based on my own experience applying for a loan from PAG-IBIG. However, it is best to approach any representative from PAG-IBIG or visit their website should you need further clarifications about your own application.

How to Apply for a Driver's License in Davao City

 Don't Be Afraid Do It Your Own, Here's A Guide, Don't Deal With Fixer.

Do you have a driver's license? If not, are you planning to apply for one? I just recently obtained a driver's license and find the process to be an arduous one. Please note that there are different processes involved when you are trying to apply for a renewal of your driver's license or if it is your first time doing so.

There are two options for where you can file a driver's license application and driver's license renewal in Davao City: 1) the main LTO branch at Quimpo Blvd for driver's license application and First time driver's license renewal or 2) the LTO Branch at SM City Mall. However, all second time and so on driver's license renewals must be done at LTO Branch at SM City Mall for faster and more comfortable place for renewal. Obviously, the processing for license renewals are easier and faster as compared to when it is your first time.

I expected it is going to be a long process and know for sure that there will be a long queue at the Land Transportation Office branch. I found out that you need to have basic documents for identification such as my birth certificate. Aside from the birth certificate, new applications must also bring a guardian's identification, especially those who are below 16 years of age.

Before going to the LTO branch office, though, I would suggest you undergo medical test and drug test first. The results of these tests are required by the LTO accredit centers before proceeding to the next step in your application for a driver's license. The next step is to obtain the application form and fill it up with the personal details needed to produce your license records.

Once you are done filling out the application form, you will be directed to this room wherein you would have to have your picture taken. This is free and you do not have to pay anything for the pictures. However, you will be asked to pay for the exam fee. This exam comes in two formats: written and drive test exam. Naturally, the written exam is used to gauge your understanding of basic to complex traffic rules that are vital in real-life driving situations. Meanwhile, the drive test exam is designed to assess your skill as a driver before you are allowed to go on the road.

By this point, you simply have to wait for your name to be called and you must go to the next window for the releasing of your driver's license. The process can be slow or fast, depending on the volume of people that are present by the time of the application. But if you brought a complete set of documents with you and you have passed the corresponding exams, then you should be able to get your license fairly quickly even during your first application.

When applying for a driver's license, avoid passing through fixers. Aside from the fact that they ask you for double or triple the amount that you need to pay when getting a driver's license, there is also a risk that your license will be taken away from you or that you will be charged for it. Do not be intimidated by the exam because it will also benefit you to become a more efficient driver.