10-Year Valid Passports Effective January 2018, Cayetano Announced

Philippine passports valid for 10 years will be available starting January next year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano announced Wednesday, October 25.

Cayetano signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the 10-year valid passports, two months after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No.10928 amending Section 10 of RA 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

“This next two months will give us enough time to inform the world and get the appropriate communications out na 10 years na yung [passport] validity natin,” he said.

Cayetano noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is seeking ways to improve the passport system of the country, starting with validity.

“Pag five years na validity, pabalik-balik para mag-renew,” he noted, adding that, “I’m very thankful sa ating pangulo at sa Kongreso sa pagpasa nila ng 10-year validity ng passports.”

Cayetano said the fee for a 10-year passport “will not increase and remain the same as the charge for the existing five-year passport”.

First-time or returning OFW, as well as their parents and children below 7 years old, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will be accommodated through a designated walk-in courtesy lanes, Cayetano said.

Cayetano also thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for signing Executive Order No. 45 that will enable DFA to set up additional consular offices across the country.

Although the foreign affairs secretary admitted that considerable efforts have to made, he said his office tries to push harder to better their services.

(Source: FilipinoTimes.net)