DFA issues advisory on delays in e-passport releases

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has issued an advisory saying that a machine breakdown would cause a “delay of two to three days” on the release of the electronic passports (ePassports) due from January 28 to February 2.

In its advisory issued late Tuesday night, the DFA said that applicants expecting their passports to be issued for the week were advised to call (632) 836-7745, (632) 836-7747 or e-mail DFA-OCA at [email protected] to make “the necessary and appropriate arrangements on how the passports can be delivered to them.”

It noted that the DFA-OCA was prepared to issue machine-readable passports on a limited basis in cases of extreme emergency.

“The Department would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused the public,” it said.

“Measures are being implemented and the department has received the assurances and commitment of Oberthur Technology to stabilize operations immediately,” it added.

The DFA said that operations would start to normalize by February 4.

Meanwhile, the DFA-OCA said that it continued to accept passport applications in its offices in Metro Manila, Regional Consular Offices, and Foreign Service Posts.

Passport applicants in Manila may secure an appointment by logging on at the website www.epassport.com.ph or by calling (632) 737-1000, it said.