Glitch delays passport release

Passport applicants whose passports were supposed to be released Friday will have to wait a little longer to get their documents because of an unexpected printing malfunction.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said applicants affected by the sudden glitch were those who applied for passports at the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) on May 6 onwards.

In a statement, the DFA-OCA said it would extend the validity of passports for one year for those who have urgent travels at no cost and even without any appointment.

The delay in the release of the passport booklets was reportedly caused by a “malfunction of the mainframe program” which stopped the printing of the booklets.

The DFA-OCA said the maker of the printing equipment, Oberthur Technologies, “is working around the clock to fix the problem” and that the repair will take a few days.

There was no specific date set as to when the passports will be released.

DFA-OCA, however, assured that those with reasons for emergency travel, such as medical reasons, deaths, or overseas Filipinos reporting for work within the next few days might be issued machine-readable passports.

“The OCA enjoins the general public who has travel plans to apply for passports well ahead of time, at least 12 weeks in advance,” the statement read as the DFA asked for the public’s understanding.

Those with related concerns may call the Passport Director’s office at 836-7759 or 556-0000 locals 2030 up to 32. Julie M. Aurelio