DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, Aug. 2 signed the law extending the validity of passports to 10 years.
Under Republic Act 10928, the validity of regular passports shall be valid for 10 years.
However, Section 1 of the “law states that individuals under eighteen years of age, only passports with five-year validity shall be issued.”
“Provided, further, that the issuing authority may limit the period of validity to less than ten years, whenever in the national economic interest or political stability of the country such restriction is necessary,” the law states.
Read full text of the law here.
Duterte also signed RA 10930 which extended the validity of drivers’ licenses to five years. The new law states that iIf a driver commits no traffic violation within five years, he may be entitled to a renewal of 10 years.
“(P)rior to the issuance of said license, the applicant shall present himself/herself in person and have his/her photograph taken by the LTO (Land Transportation Office). All drivers’ licenses issued shall be signed in the presence of the LTO Head or his/her deputies and shall bear, among others, the full name, date of birth, height, weight, sex, color of eyes, blood type, complete current address, biometrics, license number, and its date of issue and expiration,” RA 10930 said.
A fine amounting to P20,000 will be imposed if an applicant for a driver’s license is found to have misrepresented material information, connived with the issuing officer, falsified documents, or cheated during examinations. In addition, the license of an erring applicant will be revoked and the applicant will be banned from applying for two years.
Meanwhile, Duterte also signed RA 10929 creating a Free Public Internet Access Program.
The law covers public places such as government offices, state universities and colleges, hospitals and health centers, parks and plazas, libraries, airports and seaports, transport terminals, among others.
Under the Program, connecting to public internet access points will be free of charge. (davaotoday.com)
