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/=° RECEIVED ©:
pare, DEC 05 2019

TIME: _

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 5729

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is ingrained in the Filipino culture to honor and respect the elderly
members of society. Various traditions around the country showcase their
significance as a beloved part of the community, and at the same, extend
the warmest of gratitude for all their contributions during their prime years.

This representation believes that it is only fitting that our senior citizens
receive their well-deserved attention and care as reward to their decades of
personal contribution to the Filipino nation. This can be done enacting more
laws that give them special privileges in public services.

This measure seeks to amend Republic Act No. 8239, or the Philippine
Passport Act of 1996, by providingfor the lifetime validity of Philippine
Passports of senior citizens. It is the hope of this representation to spare our
dear senior citizens from the meticulous process and long queue of the
renewal of passports. This will also encourage them to travel and enjoy their
retirement, and hopefully boost their morale as citizens of our country.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5729

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT GRANTING LIFETIME VALIDITY OF PHILIPPINE PASSPORTS
TO SENIOR CITIZENS, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 10 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE "PHILIPPINE PASSPORT ACT OF 1996," AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the
“Philippines Passport Act of 1996”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 10. Validity. - Regular passports issued under this Act shall be
valid for a period of ten (10) years: Provided, however, That for
individuals under eighteen (18) years of age, only a passport with five
(5)-year validity shall be issued: Provided, further, That the issuing
authority may limit the period of validity to less than ten (10) years,
whenever in the national economic interest or political stability of the
country such restriction is necessary: Provided, finally, That a new
passport may be issued to replace one which validity has expired, the
old passport being returned to the holder after cancellation.

PASSPORTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS ISSUED OR RENEWED AT
AGE SIXTY-FIVE (65) AND ABOVE SHALL HAVE LIFETIME
VALIDITY.

SEC. 2. Implementing Authority. - The Department of Foreign Affairs
shall issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations and adopt the
best practices to ensure that the provisions of this Act are implemented in
convergence with necessary reforms to make the passport processing
system seamless, convenient and pro-people, and the production and
security of passports at par with technological advances and world
standards.


SEC. 3. Separabi Clause. -If any part or provi
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts not
affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,