RA 11983: NEW PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT

The law which repealed the Passport Law of 1996, institutionalizes the digital application for the Philippine passports and aims to improve the services in securing the travel documents by streamlining applications for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), among others. 

 Essentially, the law not only streamlines processes, but makes them convenient and accessible. Under RA 11983, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is tasked to set up an online application portal and one-stop shop, including special lanes for senior citizens, among others, that is “readily accessible on its official website to facilitate convenience in complying with the requirements.” Also, it allows the DFA to set up offsite and mobile passport services outside of its consular offices and foreign service posts.