You only need to know one thing when renewing your passport: the DFA Passport Application System. I really like the online appointment system of the DFA. It's easy to use and your passport application form gets filled up for you already. No need to write and worry if your handwriting is legible enough. Everything you need to know for renewing your passport is already in the website, you just need to READ. Individual or family appointments can be set in the website, too. Just take note that for family appointments personal appearance of those applying for or renewing their passport is required. After you've filled out the form with your details you can finally choose the schedule when you want to go to the DFA. If, for some reason, you want to change the schedule of your appointment you have to go through the whole process of filling up the form and selecting a schedule through the website again. Your old schedule just gets cancelled and replaced with your the new schedule you've selected.
The schedule I chose was for 8:30 AM last Wednesday, March 21. I got to the area at around 8 AM and parked in the parking lot beside McDonald's, which is just on the the other side of the road, opposite the DFA building. I was planning on parking in S&R, just behind the DFA, since I'm a member anyway, but it was too early. I got in the DFA gate at the corner of the street and headed straight to the set of tables setup near the gate. They check your application form and schedule and stamp it. Afterwards, I went to the area where tents were set up and just asked a guard where to line up for my schedule. They segregate the lines of people according to appointment schedule. It's good that there were tents and monoblock benches for the waiting area, at least there's shade when the sun gets too hot. Be prepared with a fan because even with shade it still gets humid under the tents. Also, I find it really weird that the guards require the people in line to sit really close to each other. As in they will tell people to move in closer because there are spaces. I mean, what the hell? Personal space, people!
So anyway, batch by batch, the people get ushered into the processing area, where they check your application form and other requirements. They'll get the photocopies of your passport and your birth certificate. They won't get your original NSO birth certificate, but they will ask to see it so they can compare it to the photocopy. They will also be issuing you a piece of paper where it says what kind of processing you want: regular (PhP950.00) or rush (PhP1,200.00). I just chose regular processing since I'm not in any hurry to get my new passport. They will be punching holes into your old passport at this point, making it unusable afterward. So until you get your new passport you won't be able to do any international traveling. In this area, by the way, they won't allow you to enter with a water bottle. So if you're carrying non-disposable water bottle, like I was, you need to leave it at the door. I think you can empty it out if you don't want to leave it.
After having your documents checked and getting the piece of paper with your processing type you need to head up to the 2nd floor for the cashier. After paying at the cashier, which should be pretty quick, you should line up to get a number for photo taking and biometrics. This is probably going to be the longest wait you'll do throughout the whole process. Read a book. Listen to some music. Play a game on your phone, PSP, or DS. Once your number flashes on the screen you need to go and find the counter number assigned to you. Hand your papers to the person and sit down. Remove all jewelry (earrings, necklace), make yourself pretty/handsome, and smile at the camera when told to do so. Your thumb prints will also be scanned, and then you're done!
Now, if you don't mind going back to the DFA to pick your passport up then you can skip the last part. But, for someone who lives far away from the DFA office I just paid for delivery. It's just PhP120.00 for shipping to your house or office. You should have already chosen an option when you filled out the online form, you're just going to confirm the details when you get there. I asked if someone else can claim it on my behalf when it gets delivered to my house. They said yes and just asked for the name of the person who will be claiming it and placed it as a "C/O" on the address. They'll print out a claim stub/receipt. Get that, keep it safe, and then you're done!
The whole process took me 2 hours. On hindsight I didn't even need to take a half-day leave, I could have just offset my shift. Overall, the process is pretty okay and really won't need you to go through a fixer or travel agency. There's definitely still room for improvement, like how the counters and steps are physically laid out, but it's still a decent process nonetheless.