Our favourite places to stay on this sleepy Cebu island.
There are many horrors that come with travelling — failed itineraries, food poisoning, getting scammed, delayed flights, the list goes on. Still, only a few matches up to the terror of misplacing or completely losing your Philippine passport, especially when you’re less than a week away from a planned trip abroad or when it’s the only valid ID you have at the moment. However, know that it’s not yet the end of the world, although it may seem like it. Here’s what you can do if you’re unfortunate enough to deal with this situation.
Also read: 8 Things You Should NEVER Do To Your Philippine Passport
Losing your passport while in the Philippines doesn’t seem to instigate as much fear as losing it abroad. However, you’ll need to undergo a couple of unfamiliar paperwork that could prove to be a hassle if you’re already in a state of panic.
To replace lost valid or expired passports when in Metro Manila, you will pay the regular passport processing fee of ₱950 or express processing fee of ₱1,200. On top of these fees, you’ll also need to add in another ₱350 as penalty fee.
The DFA also stresses that appointments made beyond 5pm are considered rush processing. For applications outside Metro Manila, it will take 20 days for regular processing and 10 days for rush processing. Meanwhile, it will take four to six weeks for Philippine Foreign Service Posts.
So what if you lose your passport in a foreign land? Naturally, you might get worked up for a few minutes. The good news is that there’s a way around it as well. It will take some time and your composed self. But the important thing to remember is to address it as quickly as you can.
In some countries, personal appearance is not required. The requirements and fees vary per country as well, so it’s best to check with the Philippine embassy or consulate in your destination for reliable information.
Also read: Philippine Passport Updates: Exciting Developments in 2018
See, that wasn’t so bad? Or was it? In any case, you now know that losing your passport will never be inconsequential. For your sanity, always have a photocopy or scanned copy of this valuable document with you, or all your travel documents for that matter. And whatever happens — and to save you from further damage — remember to think clearly and act quickly!
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