How I Built a Simple Tool to Help People Book DFA Appointments Online

In the Philippines, getting a DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) passport appointment can be confusing and frustrating for many people. As a web developer, I noticed how difficult it was for my friends and family to find the correct appointment page and book their slots without running into errors or broken links. So, I decided to build a small tool to help with this.

Why I Made This
The official DFA website can sometimes be overwhelming. There are many pages, and not everyone is tech-savvy enough to navigate it quickly. I wanted to create a clean, user-friendly online appointment interface that guides users step-by-step.

What My Tool Does
My tool helps users:

• Find the correct DFA branch based on location
• See available dates and times
• Understand the requirements before booking
• Go directly to the appointment page without confusion

How I Built It
I used a simple stack:

• HTML/CSS/JavaScript for the frontend
• PHP for server-side routing
• A few API calls to fetch real-time info (if available)
• Hosted it on a lightweight VPS for easy access

What I Learned

• Many users don't know they need to verify their email before confirming their online appointment
• A lot of misinformation is being shared on social media—so clear instructions are important
• Keeping the design minimal helps users focus on just what they need