In response to the emerging complaints about the delay of the passport renewal system, the government is trying a new technology that will enable a fast online passport renewal for the Filipinos.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said last Tuesday during a Congressional inquiry that the new system will let renewal be done at home and offices to reduce long lines and stressful appointments in consular offices.
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“One of these technologies shown to me, ‘yung cellphone kukuhanan lang ng picture ‘yung passport, and then magse-selfie ka. ‘Yung face mo ico-compare sa passport. Then we can mail you the (renewed) passport already,” Sen. Cayetano said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is still clearing up the details, but they are planning to launch it by 2019. However, it will only be available for the passports issued from August 2016 onwards.
“Nung tinurn over sa amin ‘yung data noong 2014, aside from obsolete, corrupted na yung ibang data. (But) Once we have the biometrics, puwede nang hindi na magpakita sa offices and we can do the renewals online,” Cayetano added.
Source: CNN Philippines