DFA eases rules for ‘Yolanda’ victims who lost passports
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is lifting penalties on passport loss as well relaxing the rules on passport replacement for the victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in the Easter Visayas.
DFA spokesman assistant secretary Raul Hernandez announced that those whose passports were lost need not present an affidavit. The penalty for lost passport will also be waived.
The victims will only need to “submit a simple written statement on the loss or mutilation of the passport and if possible, a barangay (village) certification stating that they are victims of Yolanda,” Hernandez said.
This will be in effect up to January 31, 2014, he added.
Meanwhile, the operations of the DFA consular office in Tacloban, Leyte will be “indefinitely suspended,” Hernandez said.
Article continues after this advertisementMANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is lifting penalties on passport loss as well relaxing the rules on passport replacement for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in the Eastern Visayas
Article continues after this advertisementDFA spokesman assistant secretary Raul Hernandez announced that those whose passports were lost need not present an affidavit. The penalty for lost passport will also be waived.
“In lieu of the effects of typhoon Yolanda, individuals who were directly affected by the calamity need not present an affidavit of mutilation or loss of valid passport when applying for a replacement. They are also not required to pay the penalty for the loss of a valid passport,” Hernandez said.
The victims will only need to “submit a simple written statement on the loss or mutilation of the passport and if possible, a barangay certification stating that they are victims of Yolanda,” he said.
All DFA offices nationwide will implement the said measures up to January 31, 2014, he added. After that date, all replacement passports shall be subject to the normal procedures.
Meanwhile, the operations of the DFA consular office in Tacloban, Leyte will be “indefinitely suspended,” Hernandez said.
Those whose passports have yet to be released will be able to get their passports at the Office of Consular Affairs in Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City.
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