Your passport is an important and useful document so it is a must to be aware of all the advisories and announcements regarding its use and validity. Knowledge also helps you avoid hassles and delays in your travel plans.

In an effort to keep up with the world standard of travel documents, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) implements changes regarding the issuance of Philippine passport. From machine readable passports, the DFA now issues an E-passport. In the midst of these changes, take note of the following reminders:

Reminder 1: Green Passport Is Valid Until Expiry

Do not believe emails and articles on the net urging you to renew your green passport before 2010. The said article is said to come from the travel agency division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Below is an example of untrue email they send:

Post subject: Renew your Green Passport before 2010!  

Department of Foreign Affairs

Travel Agency Section

Please be advised that effective january 2010, the green colored philippine passport will no longer be accepted even if it is still valid. Below are the list of new requirement for the application and renewal of philippine passport.

A public advisory posted in the DFA website reveals that there is no truth to the above email. Here’s the DFA reminder:

If you are a holder of the manual or green passport, you can still use your passport for travel abroad. All manual or green passports issued before April 01, 2010 will remain valid until the stated date of expiry and are acceptable for use abroad.

Reminder 2: DFA’s Passport Division Has Moved To A New Building

The office of Consular Affairs (Passport Division, Authentication, Visa and Records) will be moving to a new building. The DFA’s Passport Office is moving to ASEANA Business Park

Address of the new building: ASEANA Business Park corner Bradco Avenue and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City

Please call Telephone number 556-0000 or 834-4000 if you have further inquiries.

Reminder 3: Avail of the New ePassport

The DFA also reminds the public that everyone can apply for an e-passport now (initially available in Manila), a highly secure and enhanced Machine Readable Passport. The new passport reduces identity theft by storing the biometrics and signature of the passport holder and by recording his thumb marks.

Reminder 4: Apply for a Passport in the Provinces

You can also apply for a passport in the following DFA offices in the provinces:

Bacolod City, Baguio City, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro Coty, Cebu City, Cotabato City, Davao City, General Santos City, Iloilo City, Legazpi City, Lucena City, Palawan City, POEA (Satellite Office)- Mandaluyong City, San Fernando La Union, San Fernando, Pampanga, Tacloban City, Tuguegarao City and Zamboanga City