10-year passport validity begins January 2018 under President Duterte

It is a great news indeed for everyone. A video was uploaded by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs), wherein Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano announcing the extension of the Philippine passports validity, from 5 years and now extended to 10 years, after President Rodrigo Duterte signed last August 2, the RA 109268 or the law that extends the validity of passports for 10 years and will begin on January 1, 2018, with no change in price, which is still ₱950.
"The next two months will give us enough time to inform the whole world and get the appropriate communications out that the validity of Philippine passports is now 10 years.” He said.

"Kung i-approve natin dito na hindi alam ng ibang bansa, baka kuwestyunin pa kayo pagdating sa airport. Imbis na nakatulong, mas malaking problema (If we approve this here without other countries knowing about it, you might even be questioned at the airport. Instead of helping you, it might create more problems.)” Cayetano added.

The price of the new passport will not change and remains ₱950 until further notice.

"Additional fees may be imposed in the future for passports that will have enhanced features." Cayetano said.
But Cayetano clarified that this is only applicable for those above 19 years old. Meaning, those below 18 years old will stoll be issued 5-year valid passport because of the possibility that the face of those 18 years old below might still change.

"Kasi below 18 years old po, nagbabago pa 'yung mukha, so it's better that after 18, 'pag expired na 'yung passport, saka mo irenew na saka na mag-10 years (Because if a person is below 18 years old, his or her face might still be changing, so it's better that after 18, once the passport is expired, that's when you should renew the passport to be valid for 10 years.)” Cayetano said.

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Source:   rappler.com