E-passport system draws 10,000 applicants in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Since its full implementation on March 3 this year, the e-passport system of the Department of Foreign Affairs-7 has drawn over 10,000 applicants from Cebu. 

Cynthia Tecson-Ricaplaza, DFA-7 officer in charge, said the e-passport is essentially the same as a traditional passport with an added integrated circuit or “chip” embedded in one of the passport pages.

This chip contains the data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder.

Data in the chip include the personal data found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip.

The chip technology allows the information stored in the e-passport to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

Using the e-passport avoids passport reproduction and tapering as its database is enhanced with Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) that guard against multiple passport issuances to the same person and enhances imposter detection.

A major advantage of using e-passport is that it facilitates fast clearance of travelers at immigration checks. Among the benefits gain of an e-passport are the use of automated border clearance or ‘e-gates,’ automated issuance of boarding passes, and faster travel arrangements with airlines.

Regular cost of obtaining an e-passport is P950 while those who want an expedited electronic passport must pay P1,200.

The implementation of the e-passport is in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard and as an ICAO member, the Philippines has an international obligation to enhance the security of its travel documents.

E-passport is now widely used in 60 countries worldwide while in ASEAN, five countries have already issued e-passports namely Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Cambodia.

The issuance of e-passport will allow the country to offer world-class consular services to its nationals.

Requirements for e-passport processing will remain the same although personal appearance is required for the taking of biometrics.

Machine readable passports are still valid until its expiry date while passport holders are urged to check that their passport is valid at least six months before intended date of travel to avoid any inconvenience.

Also, DFA releases reminders of those who want to avail of e-passport.

The e-passport has the technical capacity to record biometrics and has automated finger identification system that compares the thumbprint to other applicants’ during the process. As such, applicants should not lend their identities to other persons.

After encoding and data capturing, carefully read the data printed on the enrolment certificate before signing (as proof of confirmation) so as not to pay for replacement of passport in case of error.

Applicants should then proceed to counter for courier service after encoding and data capturing for courier service for delivery of the passport to the residence.

To date, it was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who released the first biometric passport on August 11, 2009.

However, Ricaplaza clarified that the old passport is still useful as long as it does not reach the date of expiration. But if there are delays while processing the e-passport, they [applicants] can still use the old one before its expiry.  

Ricaplaza said only 11 DFA regional offices are implementing the system yet. “But mao ni gina-work sa department…later this year, mapa-implement na ni sa tanan,” she added.

With the daily operation of the DFA regional office, she said they are distributing 250 priority numbers in the morning, but are giving priority to senior citizens, out-of-town applicants, and pregnant women.

But she added that the afternoon is intended for all travel agency applicants.

The DFA-7 can accommodate nearly 500 applicants a day. — Johanna Natavio and Dorothy Mae E. Acabo Negros Oriental State University intern/LPM (FREEMAN NEWS)