Extending the validity of passports from five to 10 years would greatly benefit thousand of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as they travel outside the country for “greener pastures” and better employment.
Sen. Cynthia Villar, vice chair of the Senate committee on foreign relations, said passage of Senate Bill 1365, which seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and extend the validity of regular Philippine passport to 10 years is a relevant measure as it seeks to bring relief to many Filipino migrant workers struggling to comply with necessary documents when striving for overseas employment.
“Much relief will be provided our overseas Filipino workers once the need to renew their passports every five years is removed,” Villar said.
“There would be less need for them to be subjected to the cumbersome and time-consuming process of applying for renewal,” she said.
The Senate is set to approve the bill on third reading today, Monday after passing the measure on second reading last week. (Hannah L. Torregoza)