Bong Go Slams Proposed Passport Fee Hike, Cites Burden on Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — Increasing the regular Philippine passport fee to P1,500 from P950 would further burden Filipinos grappling with high prices, costly fuel and a rise in unemployment, according to Sen. Bong Go. During Senate deliberations on the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) budget, finance panel chairman Sen. JV Ejercito disclosed that APO Production Unit Inc. had sought an increase amid concerns over the sustainability of its operations. APO Production prints Philippine passports. Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the DFA had asked for the proposed adjustment to be deferred until 2028, when the government expects to introduce the next-generation Philippine passport. Go urged the government to examine alternatives to passing higher passport production costs to applicants, including the feasibility of subsidizing part of the expense. Affordability should remain central to any government decision on passport fees, he maintained.