DFA plans to enhance passport cover to poly-carbonate cards

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) intends to enhance passport covers to poly-carbonate cards in order to preserve its longevity.

In an interview with DZMM, DFA Assistant Secretary Frank Cimafranca said the paper-based passports are prone to scratches and breakage when travelling.

“We are looking [forward] to use durable material like poly-carbonate, parang credit card, parang plastic na siya,” he said.

However, this might incur an increase in the passport fee.

“May dagdag na bayad na iyon because the cost [of production] of the booklet itself, tataas ‘yung cost,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DFA is considering to add 20 pages to the current 44-page booklet since the passport validity has been extended to 10 years.

Cimafranca also added that DFA is targeting to launch an e-payment system that will allow applicants to pay the processing fee online.