Good news to all Filipino travellers! The Senate has approved the bill extending Philippine passport validity to 10 years.
Senate Bill 1365 or the Passport Act seeks to amend the 21-year-old Philippine Passport Act of 1996, which only allows passport validity to 5 years.
According to Senator Sonny Angara, co-author of the said bill, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are the main benificiaries of this amendment.
“Often, they have to file a leave from work for them to be able to travel back and forth to the nearest Philippine embassy or consular office to get their passports renewed,” Senator Angara said.
I’m up for passport renewal next year so this is perfect timing! On a side note, if you’re going to renew or apply for a new passport soon, make sure your photo is perfect. Can you imagine bringing around a passport with a photo that you hate for ten long years? 😉
For more information, visit the DFA website at https://www.dfa.gov.ph/.