The Senate of The Philippines recently approved the bill proposing that passport validity be made 10-years instead of the current 5-year validity.
"A minor's passport should indeed be renewed every 5 years because a minor's facial changes while growing up."- Sen. C.Villar
One of the reasons for the extension of the passport validity is for the convenience of Filipinos working overseas.
Under the bill that has been passed in the Senate, regular passports will be valid for 10 years, instead of the current five.
Based on the speech by Sen. Cynthia Villar, one of the reasons why they pushed through the change in validity period of passport is for the OFWs.
"In order to make travel abroad easier for the OFWs, the bill simply extends the validity of regular passports to 10 years,"
President Rodrigo Duterte , he mentioned the necessity of stretching the validity of passports from the current 5 to 10 years.
However, there seemed to be a catch because minors or Filipino citizens below 18 years old is not included, and they will therefore still receive passport that is valid for 5 years only!
"...although the 5-year validity of passports of minors or those individuals under 18 years old is being retained. A minor's passport should indeed be renewed every 5 years because a minor's facial changes while growing up. An adult's facial features basically remain the same for longer periods; hence the renewal of an adult's passport every 10 years is apt. "
According to Senator Villar, the reason behind why minors will still receive passport with less than 10 years validity is due to the changes in facial features of a growing up child.
The Department of Foreign Affairs may also lessen the period of validity "whenever in the national economic interest or political stability of the country such restriction is necessary," according to the bill.
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