DFA, PH passports with 10 year validity to be issued starting Jan. 3, 2018

One of the promises of President Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address was for the issuance of a longer validity of Philippine passports.

Previously Philippine passports only have a five (5 ) year validity, and since the Philippines is the undisputed number one exporter of manpower all over the world, a full packed long lined Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office is but a regular sight.

Now, 2018 is the year that said promise will be implemented.  The  has announced that the issuance of passports with a 10 year validity starts on January 3.

PH passport (photo credit to owner)

"Since January 1 and 2 were holidays, passport applications made starting today, January 3, shall be 10-year valid, provided the applicant is not a minor," said Director Geronimo Suliguin, officer in charge for DFA-Office of Public Diplomacy.

As per the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10928 or Act Extending the Validity of Philippine Passports, only applicants  eighteen (18) years old above will be provided with a  10-year valid passport, those below eighteen (18) years old will be issued with five-year validity.

Suliguin in a text message told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that regular release schedules are still observed for applications made from all DFA units.

Meanwhile, for expedited applications made in DFA National Capital Region units today, he said they expect to release the passports on January 12.

Philippine passports issued prior to Jan. 1, 2018 with a validity period of five years will remain valid until expiration.

DFA further clarifies that passport booklets with 10-year and 5-year validity will not have a change in design, security features, and the number of pages. As regards to passport application fees- there will also be no changes.

The IRR however states that “while original application fees are retained, additional costs may apply once the DFA add pages, change materials, and enhance security features of the passports.”   *

It may be recalled it was during the 2016 SONA of the President that he made a promise to the Filipino people regarding a change in the DFA as regards to the timely issuance of Philippine passports, and an amendment of the 1996 passport law to lengthen the validity from the current 5 years to 10 years.

 

Report from PNA