Philippine Embassy in Japan appeals for understanding amid passport backlog

The Philippine Embassy in Japan on Thursday appealed for understanding amid complaints of passport application backlog since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Since we re-opened to the public after the state of emergency in Japan was lifted, we have been balancing the need to effectively deliver public service with our duty to ensure the public’s health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic," Deputy Chief of Mission Robespierre Bolivar said.

The embassy, he said, has shifted to an appointments only system, serving an average of 1,400 passport applicants per month.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the delays in passport processing at the embassy will be addressed after receiving a complaint from a Filipino worker on Twitter.

"It will be solved. Pronto," Locsin said. "Transparency and energy are everything."

Bolivar explained the embassy currently has limited and semi-enclosed space in its consular area and given the COVID-19 prevention parameters, only a maximum number of applicants can be entertained every day.

The embassy will gradually increase this maximum number of applicants when local conditions allow it, he said.

As passport processing may take some time, Bolivar said the embassy can extend the validity of passports to applicants who have urgent travel needs, such as those who have family members with medical emergencies.

"Once the COVID-19 situation in Japan further stabilizes, we will gradually increase our capacity to serve passport applicants until we return to pre-pandemic levels and we greatly appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation in this regard," Bolivar said. —KBK, GMA News