Roque: PH seeks visa-free access in more countries

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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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January 15, 2018
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MANILA – The government was seeking visa-free access in more countries, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

The Philippines ranked 72nd in the Henley & Partners 2018 passport index, three notches up from the previous year.

Henley & Partners 2018 passport index ranks passports in terms of the number of countries their holders can secure visa-free access.

Filipinos can travel to 63 countries without applying for visa. The Philippines also launched passports with 10-year validity on Jan. 12.

Malacañang welcomed the country’s improved ranking.

“We are assuring everyone that our people at the Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to work toward securing visa-free access of Filipinos to more countries,” Roque said.

Moreover, the government was improving the passport application system “to make it more convenient for the public,” the spokesman said.

He said among the measures the government was applying included streamlining of passport application process, improved and more user-friendly Online Appointment System, additional passport appointment slots and consular offices outside Metro Manila, setting up an e-Payment system, providing OFW (overseas Filipino worker) lanes, and reduction of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System backlog from 33,000 to zero.

The Foreign Affairs department would also deploy Passporting on Wheels vehicles starting this month to decongest consular offices in Manila, Roque said./PN
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