DFA sets guidelines for Ondoy-spoiled passports

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued the guidelines for the renewal of passports lost or damaged by tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana). Free affidavits of loss or damage will be made available at the DFA's Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) information counter, the DFA said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph). "Applicants 8 to 64 years old are required to personally appear at the DFA’s OCA for their applications to be processed," it said. Victims of "Ondoy" whose passports were lost or damaged will have to present the following requirements: * Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) * ID or other supporting documents indicating the date and place of birth of the applicant * Three passport-size pictures with royal-blue background * Duly accomplished Application Form (may be downloaded at www.dfa.gov.ph) For damaged passports, the following are the requirements for their replacement: * Presentation of original Philippine Passport * ID or other supporting documents indicating the date and place of birth of the applicant * Three passport-size pictures with royal-blue background * Duly accomplished Application Form (may be downloaded at www.dfa.gov.ph) The DFA said it will follow the normal schedule of release of passports, which will be indicated in the official receipt. - GMANews.TV