Went to the Philippine Embassy yesterday on another matter and was very surprised to see a credit/debit card reader at the cash desk! Progress at last! So I paid with that and kept my cash.

However, the queuing was exactly the same and a long wait, as ever, to get seen. Best to arrive at 9am when it opens, particularly if you're going for dual citizenship as you need to attend an oath taking ceremony, as I remember. When my wife and step daughter did it, we arrived at 9am ish and didn't get to leave till around 4pm.

Take change for the photocopier, a pen, self addressed special delivery envelopes so any papers etc., can be posted back to you. I would also take cash just in case the debit/credit card machine isn't working.