Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs will extend up to one year the validity of current expiring passports in order to cope up an "unprecedented" increase in applications for the travel document.
In an official statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) said that aside from the rise in the number of applications, other "technical concerns" caused the delay in the releasing of Philippine passports.
"The DFA will extend up to one year the validity of the current expiring passports of applicants who have urgent travel. The extension will be free of charge while the applicants are waiting for the release of their new electronic passports (ePassports)," a statement issued by the department said.
In 2009, the Philippines shifted to using ePassports as part of moves to reinforce the integrity of the travel document issued to nationals by incorporating features to prevent tampering.
The e-passports employs the biometric system for validating identification. Aside from the usual fingerprintsbiometrics captures physical characteristics of an individual that include face recognition and iris scan.
The new travel document incorporates a hidden encoded image and tamper-proof electronic microchip.
The DFA, said it advises Filipinos to file for their passport applications at least 12 weeks before their intended date of travel.
"The DFA is exerting all efforts and is committed to resolve the delays at the earliest possible time, and requests the public's patience and understanding," the agency said.
