DFA: e-Passport processing operations back to normal

Published June 29, 2011 1:53pm

The electronic passport (e-passport) processing operations of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) are back to normal. The DFA said measures have been put in place to address the glitches that caused the backlog in the release of the e-passports. "This is a very welcome development as we continue to work hard to improve services in our Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) and Foreign Service Posts (FSPs)," said DFA Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Jaime Victor Ledda, in a news release on the DFA website. The DFA said it continues to reduce the turnaround time for applications filed in RCOs and Philippine embassies and consulates abroad. Among the measures implemented to address the backlog of passports are:

Increasing of passport appointment slots to 5,000 everyday;

Extension of passport appointment hours from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday processing from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and

Extension of validity of passports that are about to expire (six months or less from date of application) or have expired (one year expired from date of application) for one year, free of charge. DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario earlier stressed that streamlining the e-passport system is a top priority of the DFA. The DFA said passport applicants in Manila may secure an appointment within two weeks through logging on at the website www.epassport.com.ph or by calling (632) 737-1000. Those seeking more information can contact (632) 556-0000, (632) 737-1000 or email epassport@dfa.gov.ph. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: departmentofforeignaffairs, passport