‘Stop E-Passport Fees Increase, Probe Anomalous Contract’ – Migrante Published on July 24, 2010

‘Stop E-Passport Fees Increase, Probe Anomalous Contract’ – Migrante

Published on July 24, 2010

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — The largest OFW group urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to stop the increase of the e-passport fees in the light of allegations of corruption in the procurement contract by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“We thought that there would no longer be any corruption,” Migrante Internatonal said in a statement.
The e-passport now cost P1,200 (or $25.78 based on the current exchange rate of $US 1=P46.54)from P950 ($20.41) and P750 ($16.12) from P550 ($11.82), for ten-working day orders and 20-working day orders, respectively. It would also cost Filipinos in Hongkong, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan, in the Middle East and some parts of Europe thrice the price rates compared to Manila.

These e-passports would contain a chipset for added security, as compliance with the 2010 deadline set by the International Civil Aviation Organization standards for travel..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2010/07/24/%E2%80%98stop-e-passport-fees-increase-probe-anomalous-contract%E2%80%99-migrante/