President Duterte’s 10 Year Passport Validity Law To Take Effect January 2018
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday, October
25, signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 10928
which extends the validity of the Philippine passport to 10 years.
The official disclosed that the IRR would take effect on
January 1, 2018.
“Bakit di effective right away? Kasi yung passport po may
mga agencies all around the world and may notices, kung i-approve natin dito nang
‘di alam ng ibang bansa, baka kuwestiyunin kayo,” explained Secretary Cayetano.
He said two months from its implementation date is “enough
time” to inform other states that the Philippines would be extending its
passport validity to 10 years.
Secretary Cayetano added that the booklet would be priced
similar to the current passport with a 5-year validity.
“This won’t be having a price increase since you will be
getting the same basic passport,” he addressed the public in a statement
delivered through his official page.
The updated passport fee for express processing is Php1,200
while the normal processing is Php950.
The normal processing time for passports is up to 20 working
days while express processing is within 10 working days.
Secretary Cayetano, however, said under the law, applicants
18 years old and below would only be given passports with a 5-year validity.
“Applicants below 18 years old, nagbabago pa yung mukha so
it’s better na after 18 years old, once expired na yung passport, doon lang
i-renew para mag-10-years,” he said.
The DFA chief, for his part, extended his gratitude to
President Rodrigo Duterte and Congress for the swift passage of the law.
Secretary Cayetano explained that the IRR formulation was
delayed for some time due to “extensive” and “exhaustive” consultation with the
House of Representatives.
“We will continue to work with Congress so as to produce an
enhanced physical passport,” he assured.
Watch the video report below via UNTV:
Source: Philippine News Agency
President Duterte’s 10 Year Passport Validity Law To Take Effect January 2018
Reviewed by Yen
on
October 28, 2017
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