Machine-readable passports now issued at DFA GenSan

Bariles recently renewed his passport and eventually received his new machine-readable copy, thanks to the Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Office here in General Santos City, headed by Mr. Daniel Te.

This is how the old and the new versions look, side by side.

The old Philippine passports have green covers while the new version shifted to maroon. Other than that, the new passport is now machine-readable. Meaning, the data on the identity page (which has been moved from the Inside Back Cover to Page 2) is encoded on optical recognition format.

This is more advantageous for international travelers due to the faster processing of their arrival at airports by immigration officials. No more long slow queues this time because the immigration staff would only have to swipe the passports’ identity pages on their machines.

It’s actually very easy now to apply for a MRP (Machine-Readable Passport).

If you’re in GenSan, just go to their office beside the Big Chow Restaurant which is adjacent to Shakey’s inside the Gaisano Mall compound.

Inside the spacious, white-washed office, you may wait for your turn before you report to the table under a sign which says STEP 1 manned by Ms. Edel Mae Patugan.  You may then show her your documents.

If you are renewing your passport, these are the things you need to give to Ms. Edel for verification:

1. Photocopy first two and last two pages of old Passport;
2. Photocopy all stamped pages (all travel, arrivals, departures, visas, etc.);
3. Bring any two documents to support your Middle Name:
   • Voter’s Affidavit
   • Driver’s License
   • Baptismal Certificate
   • GSIS Policy/SSS E-1 Form
   • PRC/Postal ID
   • NBI Clearance
   • Government Service Record
   • Seaman’s Book
   • Income Tax Return
4. 3 pieces Passport sized ID pictures (4.5cm x 3.5cm) colored picture with Royal Blue background
5. Processing Fees:   64 pages – P750

If you are applying for a new passport, then submit these for verification to Ms. Edel:

1. Authenticated Birth Certificate
2. Authenticated Marriage Contract (for married women & minors only)
3. OMA Certification (for Muslims only)
4. Any 2 of the following docs to support your Middle Name:
   • Voter’s Affidavit
   • Driver’s License
   • Baptismal Certificate
   • GSIS Policy/SSS E-1 Form
   • PRC or Postal ID
   • NBI Clearance
   • Government Service Recort
   • Seaman’s Book
   • Income Tax Return
5. 3 pcs. Passport Sized ID pictures – (45 cmx3.5cm) colored pic with royal Blue Background)
6. Processing Fee:  64 pages – P850

After your docs have been verified and approved, proceed to the table under the sign which says STEP 2 and submit them to Ms. Helen Grace Acharon for processing.

You may then approach Mr. Eric Camina at a table behind her under the sign STEP 3 for the encoding of your data.

Then, proceed to the Cashier’s Table for payment of the Processing Fees to Ms. April Joy Afinido.

Easy and simple right?  Now come back two weeks after to get your new (MRP) machine-readable passport from the cheerful and helpful Mr. Elmor Maglunsod at the 2nd floor.  Two weeks, no more, no less.  🙂