MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine passport fee could increase from ₱950 to ₱1,500 as the government’s passport printer seeks a price adjustment to cover rising production costs.
However, the proposed increase has not yet been implemented.
During a Senate hearing on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) proposed 2027 budget, Senate Finance Committee Chair JV Ejercito said APO Production Unit, Inc., the government’s passport printer, had asked for authority to increase passport prices to sustain its operations.
Ejercito said the company warned that maintaining the current fee without an adjustment could eventually threaten the sustainability of passport production.
BONG GO: “NOT TIMELY”
Sen. Bong Go, however, questioned the timing of the proposed increase, saying it would place an additional financial burden on Filipinos amid high prices of goods and services and rising unemployment.
Go also pointed to the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who already bear significant costs while working away from their families.
He urged the government to study the proposal further and consider whether public funds could be used to help offset the additional costs.
DISCOUNTED RATE FOR OFWs, SENIOR CITIZENS
If the proposed increase is implemented, Ejercito said a discounted rate of ₱1,200 could be offered to senior citizens, OFWs and other qualified groups.
The proposed regular fee of ₱1,500 would represent an increase of ₱550, or roughly 58 percent, from the current ₱950 fee.
DFA WANTS INCREASE DELAYED UNTIL 2028
Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said the DFA would prefer to postpone any passport fee increase until mid-2028, when the next generation of Philippine passports is expected to be introduced.
Lazaro also cited provisions of the Philippine Passport Act governing the frequency of passport fee adjustments.
For now, the ₱950 passport fee remains in effect, while the proposed increase continues to be discussed.
The issue comes as Filipinos also face other travel-related expenses, including airport charges, airfares and fuel surcharges.
Any change to the passport fee will depend on the final decision of the government following the ongoing discussions between the DFA, lawmakers and the government passport printer.
