A nation of travelers, the Philippines has joined 60 other nations in the world in implementing one of the most advanced electronic passport (e-passport) systems. Launched recently with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo being issued the first e-passport, the P859-million project is a joint undertaking of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The new e-passport has advanced security features. It has an electronic chip that contains key information about the passport holder. It eases movement from one country to another that has e-passport readers. It has thus expedited the process of entry to and exit from the ever expanding list of nations that our people go to for recreation and work.

The electronic passport is a new global standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. To be rolled out in two phases, first to diplomats and government employes on official business, subsequently to all Filipinos before the year ends, the e-passport was launched as the Department of Foreign Affairs celebrated its 110th anniversary recently. In addition to the ease that such advanced travel document provides, the e-passport will be the least expensive travel document in the world, with the DFA’s charge not even reaching a thousand pesos.

The DFA has assured the public that the processing time for the advanced travel document would take no more than a week and the agency has targeted issuing two to four million e-passports in the first quarter after it is made available to the public.

The Department of Foreign Affairs headed by Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, headed by Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., has implemented an innovative project that will benefit millions of Filipinos.