[Admin]

Greetings:

I just read a post made by Crewsafe, regarding NSO and dealing with it. Well, considering this was a part of our business in the past, I am not unfamiliar with this agency.

Recently, I sent Iyah to Cebu in order to secure her NSO Birth Certificates, so she and I could fly to other countries in Asia, specifically Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Well, she did what I requested and ordered three (3) copies of her NSO birth certificate. (If you wish to know why I asked for 3, click here and read that page.)

Anyway, she did exactly as was required of her, by m instructions. A few days later, they (NSO) rang her to let her know there was an issue with her NSO Authenticated Birth Certificates. They then told her how to resolve it. She began following up the lead, in order to resolve it. However, in the mean time, she received the three (3) copies, as were ordered. ???????

Welcome to the Philippines.

[jimmynug]

Quote

Greetings:

I just read a post made by Crewsafe, regarding NSO and dealing with it. Well, considering this was a part of our business in the past, I am not unfamiliar with this agency.

Recently, I sent Iyah to Cebu in order to secure her NSO Birth Certificates, so she and I could fly to other countries in Asia, specifically Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Well, she did what I requested and ordered three (3) copies of her NSO birth certificate. (If you wish to know why I asked for 3, click here and read that page.)

Anyway, she did exactly as was required of her, by m instructions. A few days later, they (NSO) rang her to let her know there was an issue with her NSO Authenticated Birth Certificates. They then told her how to resolve it. She began following up the lead, in order to resolve it. However, in the mean time, she received the three (3) copies, as were ordered. ???????

Welcome to the Philippines.

Paul, thanks for sharing that. It is so typical.

[joepitts42]

My G-F wanted a passport.. they told her that her local birth cerficate was not good enough. I think it took a couple of days at NSO to get the paperwork done and than about a week to get the NSO birth cerficate. the quality of that copy was so poor that they used her original from the province!!!

[Admin]

joepitts42, on Dec 20 2006, 06:16 AM, said:

My G-F wanted a passport.. they told her that her local birth cerficate was not good enough. I think it took a couple of days at NSO to get the paperwork done and than about a week to get the NSO birth cerficate. the quality of that copy was so poor that they used her original from the province!!!

Yeah! I forgot about that part. The company I have helping her, told her to make it a point to bring her original birth certificate, in case the NSO copy was blurred. Well, I have to give those guys credit. At least they knew to ask her to bring that copy with her.

Now, here is where I (westerners) make out where a Filipino can't. Before, I had her call to find out what the requirements were needed for her to secure her passport. She was she had to come into the office in order to get the requirements. But, I make a call and they spill their guts about the requirements. Of course, I'm sure it is in the way I asked. I think they like seeing a kano (aka foreigner) ask them in Cebuano. She asked me 3 times if i were a foreigner. I finally spoke Yank English in order to prove it.

[stephan.cross]

Your experience seems more typical. Both US Embassy and Philippines governmental agencies make it more difficult for the filipina to get a passport or visa accomplished. Often they will not tell the complete requirements on the first visit, thereby requiring multiple visits and wasted time/travel. But when a foreigner will accompany her (or inquire), they will generally tell everything that is needed.

Recently, I was visiting a filipino friend's house and needed a taxi around 2am to go back to my place. The filipina gal with me called three local taxi companies. All said "sorry maam, none available" after she told them the location. Knowing what the problem was, I picked up the phone myself and called one of the taxi companies and told the dispatcher my location in a firm, foreigner voice. Answer: "yes sir, your taxi number is 306".

That's exactly why it is good to learn from folks like Paul who have been there/done that. If they ask for 2 photos for an application and you're not sure, send 5 :-) And never fully believe that the list of requirements printed on any government form are the complete list. Thay may simply not want to change the form and waste their existing pre-printed stock.

[crewsafe]

Paul, on Dec 19 2006, 09:27 PM, said:

Greetings:

I just read a post made by Crewsafe, regarding NSO and dealing with it. Well, considering this was a part of our business in the past, I am not unfamiliar with this agency.

Recently, I sent Iyah to Cebu in order to secure her NSO Birth Certificates, so she and I could fly to other countries in Asia, specifically Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Well, she did what I requested and ordered three (3) copies of her NSO birth certificate. (If you wish to know why I asked for 3, click here and read that page.)

Anyway, she did exactly as was required of her, by m instructions. A few days later, they (NSO) rang her to let her know there was an issue with her NSO Authenticated Birth Certificates. They then told her how to resolve it. She began following up the lead, in order to resolve it. However, in the mean time, she received the three (3) copies, as were ordered. ???????

Welcome to the Philippines.

The wife noticed that the same old crap is still going on...make it completly difficult in order to fleece more money out of everybody. The local Civil Registars are supposed to have forwarded ALL birth certificates to the NSO, of course in keeping with true Filipino tradition in scamming their fellow Filipinos, they are now making it hard for Filipinos to get their birth certificates...KNOWING that the Filipina is usually in dire straits needing it (visa,passport, etc.) pretty pathetic people the Philippines has working in it's government offices. So basically, the Filipino winds up doing the Local Civil Registar's job at a fee!

The wife just needed hers to enrol in school in Feb., so it was no biggy, but it still cost us 3-trips tp Manila (now, that adds up to both money & time).

Can't just single out Philippine gov't. though. U.S. Embassy, especially immigration, is about screwed up as they come & all you will hear as their excuse, is how they are soooo busy. I can only reply, "Excuses are like a-holes...everybodys got one & they all stink."