Filipinos that are working and living in Belgium and Luxembourg can now enjoy the convenience of having the new electronic passport (ePassport). The Ambassador of the Philippines in Brussels, Enrique A. Manalo reported that the launching for the processing of Philippine ePassport was done last Januaery13, 2011.

Ambassador Manalo said in his speech, "I am pleased to announce that Filipinos in Belgium and Luxembourg can now enjoy the benefits that come with using the most modern and secure type of passport currently available."

He added, "Beginning today applicants are no longer required to submit photos as their photographs and other biometrics are digitally captured at the Embassy's Consular section," he added.

During the launch, Manalo himself supervised the processing of the e-passport of Ms. Amor Arinuelo Elca from Luxembourg. She is the first ePassport applicant of the embassy.

Personal appearance at the embassy is required to all ePassport applicants because their biometrics will be electronically captured there.

Application forms for the ePassport and other important information such as list of requirements, frequently asked questions, and guidelines on photo capturing are available at the website of the Embassy: http://www.philembassy.be/.

For more information, appliciants can get in touch with the Embassy's Consular section at 023403373 to 74 or send an e-mail to consular.brusselspe@gmail.com.