DFA reopens passport office at POEA for OFWs

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stand to benefit from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ reopening of its passport extension office at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The DFA reopened its Passport Extension Office (DFA-PEO) at the POEA building along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City early this week. “This facility is mainly for the benefit of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and seafarers. Their immediate family may be allowed to file their application simultaneously, provided that they are traveling together," the DFA said in its website. (http://dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/newsroom/dfa-releases/1466-dfa-re-opens-passport-office-in-poea-for-ofws). It said the PEO was re-opened after passport data-capture equipment was installed to enable electronic passport (ePassport) issuance. Located at the ground floor of the POEA Building, the PEO is open from Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding public holidays. Passport fees range from P950 for regular processing (20 working days) and P1,200 for expedited processing (10 working days). Only 200 OFW applicants may be accommodated at the DFA-PEO everyday. Those who could not be assisted at any given day would be given an on-the-spot appointment within succeeding days. The new setup includes state-of-the-art equipment for data-capturing of applicants’ biometrics and for enhancing passport security. It also eliminates the need of bringing a photograph as a requirement for passport applications, the DFA said. — LBG, GMANews.TV