The first batch of Philippine passports valid for 10 years has already been released.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the issuance of the initial set of passports that will replace the 5-year valid passports issued before 2018.
The new passports are issued to Filipinos 18 years or older and cost Php950 for regular processing.
Filipinos under 18 years will still be issued the 5-year valid versions.
The issuance of the 10-year valid passports was announced in 2017 after the Implementing Rules and Regulations enabled the implementation of Republic Act No. 10928.
To further improve the processing system of the passports, the DFA also announced the launch of Passport on Wheels mobile service, and the opening of several consular offices in the provinces.
DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano also announced the plan for an e-payment system within the first quarter of the year to allow passport applicants to pay the processing fee through banks and other platforms.
“The setting up of an e-payment system is expected to streamline the application process, increase show-up rates, and defeat fixers,” Secretary Cayetano said.
DFA produced 3,712,420 passports in 2017. This is 602,806 or 19.38% more than the passports produced in 2016.