PHL consulate in UAE to dispose of unclaimed passports
Philippine officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said passports not claimed within six months will be disposed of.
A report of the news site Khaleej Times quoted Philippine Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin as saying more than 800 passports remain unclaimed by the applicants.
The Consulate General said those who have not yet claimed their passports issued six months ago or longer will have two weeks to do so, starting March 12.
Based on Department Order No 37-03 issued on September 23, 2003, passports unclaimed by applicants or their authorized representatives and travel agencies for six months from the date of issuance will be cancelled.
Suliguin noted that many expatriates fail to claim their passports because most employers keep the official receipts issued upon renewing their old passports.
He urged the employers to hand in the old passports and the official receipts to their workers before the deadline.
When the consulate cancels a passport, it voids them by punching holes on them.
Once the passports are cancelled, Suliguin said the employers and the Filipino expatriates will have to apply again and pay Dh200 for the issuance of a new passport. - VVP, GMA News
Comments