The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said the release of passports may be delayed due to logistical and supply chain issues caused by the Middle East war. In a statement, the DFA said "passport applications filed beginning the last week of March 2026 may experience delays in release." "In this regard, applicants are advised that the release of new passports may take 10 to 15 working days from the date of application until further notice," the DFA added. The department said it was "closely working with the third-party service provider for the printing of the ePassports on resolving the current delays and ensuring that passport operations normalize as soon as possible." The DFA said applicants who needed emergency or urgent consular services may contact DFA Office of Consular Affairs. Under Republic Act 11983 or the New Philippine Passport Act, the acquisition of a Philippine passport is a privilege. It recognizes the passport applicant's constitutional right to travel. The DFA, in February, warned Philippine passport holders against tampering their travel document with "unauthorized stamps." It reminded Filipino passport holders to refrain from putting unauthorized stamps or markings on their Philippine ePassports. It issued the advisory amid a viral post of a Filipina travel blogger who shared that she invalidated her passport after collecting unauthorized stamps on her passport as souvenirs from her travels abroad. The Philippine ePassport is the property of the Philippine government and "any alteration, addition, or destruction of its contents is strictly prohibited," the DFA said. The "State is also mandated to protect and maintain the integrity and credibility of the passport and travel documents proceeding from it," the DFA said. It also said that "any alteration, addition, or destruction of contents is strictly prohibited. Any unauthorized change will render a passport invalid and will have accompanying penalties."
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