MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs said it opened 50,000 passport appointment slots on Thursday noon.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said another 50,000 slots will opened at 9:00 p.m. today.

Cayetano said 10,000 slots will be opened daily from Mondays to Saturdays, except holidays, to accommodate more applicants.

The DFA has started issuing passports with 10-year validity last January.

It has also upgraded its online appointment system, allowing applicants to pay fees via selected payment centers nationwide.

--report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News