The DFA has made some changes in the usual process of reserving an appointment slot for your passport application (or renewal). If you are setting an appointment at any of the DFA offices and satellite branches within Metro Manila, you will be required to pay for your passport fee using the DFA ePayment Portal before the system secures your slot.
If you want to know more about this new process (and to save you the hassle of running back and forth because you “were not informed”), click this link that will take you to the complete step-by-step procedure. This is a website I discovered in one of my many. many research and realized that they have everything I need to know about my government-issued IDs such as my passport.
Take note that this is applicable for Metro Manila appointments for now; the DFA is working at having this implemented in the entire country within the year.
MasterCitizen's Blog 