PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL |
Contact: Maria Elena Maningat Vice Consul Passport & Information Sections 212-764-1330 ext 312 |
PR-CBR- 05 -2010 2 February 2010
holders of the green Philippine Passport encouraged to apply for early renewal to avail of the Machine readable passport (MRP)
-as the 1 APRIL 2010 ICAO deadline for issuing MRPs approaches
NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General New York encourages Filipinos citizens who hold the old Philippine Passport (green jacket or older) to renew their passports as soon as possible, as the deadline of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for all countries to issue machine readable passports to their citizens, 1 April 2010, is less than two months away.
The MRP is up to global standards and is inter-operable with all participating countries, providing benefits to travelers, airports and airlines, primarily in document security and ease of travel. More than 20,000 MRPs have been issued by the Philippine Consulate General New York since it began processing MRPs in June 2008. Those who have used their MRPs have been pleasantly surprised that they are now able to just swipe the machine-readable portion of their passports at check-in kiosks at various airports.
While bearers of the green Philippine Passport are assured that these will still be recognized as bonafide travel documents until the Passport expires, after 1 April 2010 (the deadline for all member states to issue MRPs) those using the green Philippine Passport may experience some delay at international ports of entry while their data is being manually encoded by inspectors. Those who wish to avoid the additional scrutiny may come to renew their passports even if the current passport will still valid for some time.
Personal appearance is required for all, except for applicants 8 years old and below (represented by either parent, provided that thumbprints are affixed on the application form, and an affidavit of support and consent is signed by at least one parent) and seniors 65 years old and above (may represented by an immediate relative - son or daughter - provided that the form is fully accomplished before a notary public, with prints and signature, and accompanied by a notarized Letter of Authority appointing the representative).
Strict photo requirements for the MRPs are imposed, to ensure that all photos are accepted in Manila, so as to eliminate the time-consuming back-and-forth of rejected applications. The MRPs are issued at no additional cost to the applicant, as the new passports, with all the security improvements, still cost USD $50.00, the same as the green-colored scripted passports.
The Consulate General processes passport applications on a first-come-first-served basis, no appointment necessary. For regular renewal (no amendments), the application process usually takes no more than one hour; the new passport can be picked-up after six (6) weeks Our office is open from 9am to 4pm, Mondays through Fridays except for US and Philippine holidays. For replacement of a "lost" passport, in addition to the documents required by the Passport Law, a clearance period of 15-working days, for a total of nine (9) weeks processing. Hence, all Philippine passport holders are advised to check the expiration of their passports before planning any travels out of the country.
Please check the website of the Philippine Consulate General New York at http://pcgny.net/ for the latest information regarding the Philippine Machine Readable Passport, downloadable forms and documentary requirements for passports and all our consular services. END
| Labanan ang Kahirapan Ramdam ang Kaunlaran |
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 764-1330; Fax: (212) 764-6010; Email: newyork@pcgny.net; website: www.pcgny.net
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