MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said slots for online passport appointment starting July this year are yet to be opened due to ongoing system upgrading.

In a statement, the DFA said it would enhance the appointment system with the implementation of an electronic payment facility.

The e-payment system will allow passport applicants to pay at a payment facility of their choice before going to a consular office.

"This will make the passport application process faster by lessening the amount of time each applicant spends at a Consular Office," the DFA said.

Earlier this month, the DFA tested its e-payment system at its Aseana site.

• DFA requires prepayment for passport, renewal applications at Aseana site

The agency added that once it launches the e-payment system, passport appointment slots would be opened for the remaining months of the year.

"In the meantime, the DFA continues to open slots for May and June," it said.

The DFA this year began releasing passports with 10 years of validity.

• Gov't to issue passports with 10-year validity starting January 2018