PH Eyes Next-Gen Passports by 2028

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is aiming to roll out its next-generation Philippine passports by 2028. This was announced by DFA policy planning and coordination Assistant Secretary Robespierre Bolivar during a House of Representatives appropriations committee hearing on the department’s 2027 budget. “We are hoping to redesign our passports to incorporate more advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting and to speed up the processing of applications,” Bolivar stated during the hearing. The next-generation passports are intended to feature enhanced anti-forgery technology and a more streamlined issuance process. This initiative is expected to facilitate smoother international travel for Filipino citizens. With the growing number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and increasing international engagement, the demand for passports in the Philippines has been rising. The current passport system faces challenges such as issuance delays and risks of counterfeiting. The introduction of next-generation passports is seen as a solution to these issues. Bolivar also mentioned that the DFA is looking into various technological advancements that can be integrated into the new passport design, including biometric data and enhanced digital security features. The DFA plans to finalize the specific designs, features, and implementation schedule for the next-generation passports. Further attention will be paid to the impact on citizens and the costs associated with the rollout.