Is your passport still valid if it has mold? Kuya Kim answers

For those who love traveling overseas, the passport is an important document that allows us enter foreign countries and return to our own homeland.

Because of this, the passport must stay in good condition to remain valid: it should not get wet or have torn pages. But what if it has mold? 

That's what happened to Wandizza Hermosura, a Filipino tourist who had planned to travel to Thailand.

"Pinahanap ko po sa kapatid ko 'yung passport ko. Nakita po namin sa maleta. Pagka-open po, biglang nakita niya po malamig tapos and daming amag," she said in Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras" on Wednesday.

"Siguro nanggaling po ang amag kasi na-stock po siya sa maleta tapos nasa isang storage room lang siya. So 'yung humid siguro ay hindi siya naging OK."

Wandizza tried wiping the mold, but some of it could no longer be removed. 

According to Atty. Laser Blitz Sumagaysay, acting passport director of the  Department of Foreign Affairs, a damaged travel document is one that has a changed physical appearance or state due to regular wear and tear, negligence, defacement, or other circumstances.

"Sa case ng mold damage, puwede po 'to makonsidera as mutilated o damaged," he said. "Kung gusto po natin na hindi maantala ang ating biyahe, mas maigi na po na i-renew na lang ang ating passport."

"Meron tayo 'yung usual appointment process natin. May dagdag lang na requirement ng affidavit of mutilation," he added.

Wandizza obtained an affidavit of damage so she was able to renew her passport and continue her trip to Thailand.

To protect the passport, Laser advised to store it securely.

"Sa mga travels o biyahe, linalagay ko lang po 'yung passport sa isang ziplock at 'yung iba po may puwede natin po lagyan ng silica gel. Parang hindi po mag-accumulate 'yung moisture," he said. —MGP, GMA Integrated News