ePassport with new design still not being issued –DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday clarified that it is not yet issuing the new Philippine ePassport with a new design, contrary to information circulating on social media.

"The proposed Philippine ePassport with a new design is still in its development stages and its specifications have not yet been finalized," the DFA said in a statement. "It is still not being issued and is thus unavailable for use."

The DFA issued the clarification after it received reports from Philippine embassies and consulates-general, as well as from its field offices, that misinformation has been going around social media and among Filipino communities abroad about the issuance of the ePassport with a new design.

In its statement, the DFA also said the current ePassports are not obsolete.

"These (current ePassports) shall remain valid until the indicated date of expiration," it said.

Meanwhile, the DFA also announced that there will be no consular services in DFA-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA Aseana), all its satellite offices in Metro Manila, and all regional consular offices on Friday, August 21, 2015 (Ninoy Aquino Day) and on August 31, 2015 (National Heroes Day), in compliance with Proclamation  No. 831, s. 2014.

It encouraged those with passport related queries to send their e-mails to passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph while those with Authentication or “red ribbon” queries may send their e-mails to authenticationdfa@gmail.com.

Queries related to reports of births, marriages, and deaths may be e-mailed to atn.unofficial@gmail.com, the DFA added. —KBK, GMA News

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