E-passport applicants urged: Apply directly at DFA offices

By Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Foreign Affairs is advising applicants for e-passport to apply directly at DFA offices.

DFA Cordillera director Grace Clavesillas said applying through travel agencies does not assure faster release of passports because their application would still follow the same process and time.

Clavesillas said representation is allowed only during pre-processing of applications, but all e-passport applicants need to go personally to the DFA office for the bio-metrics, which is needed in encoding personal data (digital images such as finger prints) for the passports’ micro-chip technology.

Clavesillas said after application is pre-processed, applicants are scheduled for bio-metrics after which the application is forwarded to the DFA Central office for processing.

It takes an average of 20 to 30 days before the e-passport is delivered back to the Baguio Office, she said.

According to Clavesillas, since e-passporting services was offered in Baguio office last April, applicants are increasing and at present they are catering to about 150 to 200 clients a day.

The DFA Baguio office has two bio-metrics machines and their limit has been increased to 160 applications a day.

Clavesillas said they are not only serving those from the Cordillera but from neighboring regions as well.

Their clients include those from Metro Manila who are vacationing in Baguio, and are taking the opportunity to apply for passport.

The DFA official encouraged the public that for their own convenience, they don’t have to rush in applying for a passport.

A passport is valid up to five years so individuals who have plans of travelling abroad can apply anytime.

Clavesillas advised applicants to check necessary documents thoroughly before going to DFA to avoid delays and requirement of additional documents.

For those who have previously issued passports, Clavesillas urged them to apply for an e-passport and not to wait for the expiration date.

According to Clavesillas, even if they apply for an e-passport now, they can still use their old passport as they will only surrender it once their e-passport is released to them.

Application fee for an e-passport is P900 for regular and could be released in a month.

Aside from passport issuance services, the DFA also provides assistance to Filipino Overseas Contract Workers.

Clavesillas said the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) is an equally important task of DFA and since the establishments of the DFA Baguio Office last July 2009, it has already provided assistance to about 60 cases.

The DFA Baguio office is located at 16 Legarda Road and can be contacted through telephone number (074) 424-33-58.