My LTOPF Application Journey - EASY!

During the pandemic, there really was a lot of free time due to the limited mobility.  One of the things that made me pass the time was the idea of owning a gun.  Here is the blog post from April 2020 about it (includes some outdated info and fees).

And finally, 2024 comes in and as my wife noticed that I'm back to thinking about "new" things to pass my time.  That's what she thinks!  I came back to the pandemic research and firmed up on my LTOPF application. 😅 And here it goes:

1. LTOPF Caravan - is a one-stop-shop event where gun stores partner with the PNP FEO.  Here you can do the requirements for New and Renewal of LTOPF such as PNP Clearance, Neuro/Drug Testing, Gun Safety Seminar (GSS), as well as other services like Permit-to-Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR or PTC) and special deals on guns & ammos.  I went to PB Dionisio Caravan last February 21-23, 2024 at their office in PBD Bldg II, 27 Don Alejandro Roces Ave, Quezon City,
• I booked for a slot on Day 1 and was able to get in.  What's good about PB Dionisio's Caravan is that they limit it to 50 per day, and the office is very conducive.  Nice people in the Caravan, not in the full experience, but more on this later. 
2. Pre-Caravan Preps - I wanted to make the Caravan process smooth and quick.  So I did these requirements ahead:
• Gun Safety Seminar (GSS) - I did this 2-weeks prior to the Caravan, also in PB Dionisio. It took me about 3 hours, seminar plus the test. This costs P500, plus validation fee.  PAY ATTENTION to the seminar!  This is what will separate you from the irresponsible owners you see in the news!
• Photos - they require 2x2 photo with name tag.  I asked PB Dionisio personnel in the 2nd Level if a print-out in a photo-paper is okay, they said the requirement is 2x2 photo (yes, the tone is condescending).  This costs me P80 for 6pcs.
• Consolidation of Forms and Requirements:
• LTOPF Form - downloaded in the FEO-PNP site here
• Affidavit of Undertaking (for 10 years license validity) - downloaded in the FEO-PNP site here
• Proof of Billing - I used my Credit Card SOA
• Proof of Income - I used my ITR

• 

  Create your account at https://feo.pnp.gov.ph/ 
  
  
3. Caravan Proper - Day 1 starts at 9am but I was in the venue before 8am.  I was #13 on queue.  However as expected, Senior Citizens and PWD who registered gets to go first.  Non-registrants had to go on queue and will get the slots of registered guests non-appearance.  The guests who also got the Assistance service also got to go up first, so really the #13 slot doesn't apply.  But still part of the 50 per day, so its a sure slot!
• Step 1 - Finance to pay for the following:
• Neuro exam - P900
• Drug test - P300
• GSS Validation - P100 (don't pay if you already have the GSS ahead)
•  Step 2 - Drug test- just pee in a cup, submit and then go through an online form to record your specimen.  Plus 2 other online forms for survey (help out and give feedback!)
• Step 3 - PNP Clearance (if you already got this ahead, skip)
•  Go to the PNP Clearance site here to process your application

• Note - Step 1 above can be booked at the same day as Caravan - lots of slots open
• Online payment is available - I paid P150 using GCash
• Proceed to the PNP Clearance desk to get the permit print-out (FYI - you'll need the reference ID No. to upload your PNP Clearance in the FEO Account page

• Step 4 - Upload in FEO account.  My time in the Caravan could have been shorter if I uploaded the requirements ahead.  BUT I didn't know what BRANCH to put in the FEO Account so I created the application on-site.  The police officers was so COURTEOUS and HELPFUL!  I have to stress on this.  Kudos, sirs and ma'ams!
•  Step 5 (and last step) - Neuro Exam.  Once all requirements are uploaded, Neuro Exam will appear in your FEO Account.  Completion of the requirements upload first before Neuro Exam.
•  Series of questions from the usual IQ or entrance exams, nothing you can't answer.  There is Tagalog or English questions.
• Drawing!  2 people with some narrative, you can check out some Youtube videos for tips.  What I can give is DO NOT DRAW STICK PEOPLE.
•  Finished in less than 2 hours - you can probably do better or worse, it varies per person, its not a contest!
• Short interview as you submit the test. Again, nothing you can't answer.  Interviewer police officer is calm and very professional. 

I finished the Caravan in less than 4 hours.  Not bad considering I didn't have to travel separately for the PNP and Neuro/Drug exams.  Plus the parking in PB Dionisio is FREE but on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Of course I used my Vespa which made the drive fun! (this wouldn't be a motoblog without mentioning it) Oh and don't forget to tip the Manong guard!  He is very accommodating every time I visit PB Dionisio.

My last stop before going home is to check out the Caravan Deals in the store.  I guess existing gun owners would find it more exciting as additional gun/s for their collection or accessories appeal to them.  I wasn't able to avail them as compared to the Caravan people, the store people isn't as accommodating (example, no eye contact or simple acknowledgement of your presence).  I'm not sure why I got this notion asthey didn't do anything intentional, but I guess I'm not used to "gun store" service.  I guess its a missed sales opportunity on them on a CZ P10 - but this is for another time and blog.

The Item Of The Month (IOTM) promo this February 2024 was awesome!  Too bad I missed it!

The next step is a waiting game of the Neuro, Drug Test results, approvals and payment - I paid via GCASH through the Land Bank LinkBiz portal - as indicated in the DETAILS in your FEO account:

    

Just go to the link and choose Philippine National Police as the payee, for LTOPF, and your REFERENCE NUMBER.  Here is what will appear before you confirm:

Your GCash usual process will come up (with your mobile number, PIN) and proceed to pay.  You will have to print-screen and save the PAYMENT RESULT as you will upload this in your FEO Account:

After uploading, your LTOPF Status will PAYMENT VALIDATION but it will also tell you to proceed to your FEO Branch.  On my case, its PNP Crame.  Bring a PRINT OUT of the Payment Result as this will be validated.  Its a quick process and then card printing comes next.  Total time spent for this is 15 minutes.  But it took me ALMOST 1 HOUR wait for parking.  (TIP) - Bring motorcycle if you have as parking for 2 wheels is easier)

So after almost 1 hour in getting a parking and 15 minutes processing, I'm now one step in gun ownership!  10 years validity means I can probably spend 1 year SAVING UP!  😆

A lot of questions I see, and with varying information is "How long does the process take?"  Here is my experience, calendar days from February 21 - LTOPF Caravan date of application took 21 days or 3 weeks processing time!

• 2 days - Drug Test result release
• 14 days - Neuro Exam result release
• 15 days - PNP Upload (was only able to upload the ID No. when Neuro Exam result was released (current issue with PNP system down, but I was still able to upload it)
• 15 days - Online Evaluator approval - same day after submitting PNP Clearance
• 17 days - Chief FLD approval - 3 business days
• 19 days - Chief FEO approval - 3 business days
• 20 days - Payment of P1,000 2,000 for 10 years license (I made it to the cut-off March 16, 2024 price increase!) +P200 for card printing
• 21 days - Final evaluation and card printing - this can be done in your FEO Branch.  In my case its the FEO in Camp Crame.

What's good about the "waiting game" is that you don't have to always check your FEO Account.  You will receive SMS text from PNP-FEO in your phone for updates.  COOL SERVICE! 

With the now easy access to LTOPF requirements and the ease of processing, gun community is sure to grow!  I'm glad to be a part of it now, and hopefully a lot more responsible owners.