Drogheda Filipino-Irish Community (DFIC), composed of 294 members based in Drogheda Co Louth, Ireland strongly support the establishment of a Philippine Embassy in Ireland. With the ongoing threat from Covid19 and with more stringent restrictions that are coming due to UK leaving the EU, travelling from Ireland to the United Kingdom and vice versa just for the sole purpose of transacting with the Philippine Embassy in the UK has been a burdensome task and major health risk as well.

The expensive plane tickets, costs incurring UK visa applications, accommodations for  14-28 days mandatory  quarantine  and high-risk of infection due to international travel are unnecessary obstacles that can be avoided if only a Philippine Embassy in Ireland is operational.

• “Republic Act 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 does not specify details nor requirements for Passport Renewals but only mentions that the “DFA Secretary or any of his duly authorized consular officer” may issue passports in accordance with the law.
• However, the implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 8239 signed by then DFA Secretary Domingo Siazon, Jr. in February 1997, the whole of “Article 7 Requirements for Passport Renewal” focuses on this subject and clearly states in Section c)
• “In case of renewal, the personal appearance of the applicant shall NOT be required, and the application may be filed by any agency duly accredited with the Department or by a member of the immediate family of the applicant authorized in writing by the latter, provided that the Secretary or his duly authorized representative or consular officer may require the personal appearance of an applicant as he may deem fit under the circumstances.”

We fully understand the need for personal appearance in cases of first time applicants to ensure and verify the identity of the applicant. But to require it again in a renewal process where all of the applicant’s personal data and biometrics have already been stored in the DFA’s database is a total waste of time, effort and money. Filipinos in Ireland with expiring passports who have been unable to secure appointments with the Philippine Embassy in London have no other option but to travel to the Philippines and apply there in person.

In comparison, an Irish Passport can be renewed via an online application and processed within 10 working days. Both Passports have strict security and anti-forgery features but yet Filipinos living in Ireland have to endure the more expensive and riskier path.

We already have an existing Philippine Consul manned by hardworking and competent officers who have been painstakingly assisting Filipinos living in Ireland.

"These are crucial times where the health and safety of the Filipino applicants, it is with urgency that we appeal to our government leaders in the Philippines to finally heed the call for our very own Embassy in Ireland and strongly demand that these DFA Passport Renewal requirements be amended."

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