DFA releases 1st batch of 10-yr valid passports

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA— The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has released the first batch of 10-year valid passports on Friday, following its official rollout in the Philippines on January 3.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Cayetano himself graced the DFA consular office in Aseana to introduce the improved document he referred to as the public’s “product” due to almost 10 years of complaints regarding its quality.

Based on DFA data, trend of passport production since 2009 has steadily increased despite no significant increase in the number of consular staff.

“This extended validity is seen to benefit the OFWs, particularly those who are assigned in areas far from an embassy or consulate where they can apply for a new one,” Cayetano said.

“The 10-year validity passport is also one way to address decongestion among the various consular offices,” he added.

In August 2017, Republic Act No. 10928 or the Act Extending the Validity of Philippine passports was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Effective January 2 and 3, 2018, all approved applications of Filipinos 18-years old and above were issued with the 10-year valid document, minors 18-years old below were only issued with five-year valid passport.

According to the agency, both booklets issued with 10-year and five-year validity will have no change in terms of fees, design and number of pages.