Philippines – Good news for Filipinos who need to renew or apply for a passport soon: the planned jump from P950 to P1,500 won’t be happening anytime this coming January.
What’s Happening With the Passport Fee
According to News report, APO Production Unit, Inc.—the agency that prints Philippine passports—asked to raise the passport fee from P950 to P1,500. But the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stepped in and requested that the increase be pushed back to 2028 instead.
DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the printer originally wanted the higher rate to kick in by January. Her response was straightforward: hold off for now.
Why the DFA Wants to Wait
Lazaro admitted the request for a higher fee wasn’t unreasonable. Here’s why:
- The last passport fee increase happened over 10 years ago.
- Passport validity was extended from five years to 10 years, adding to the agency’s costs.
Even so, the DFA has solid reasons to delay:
- A next-generation passport with stronger security features is set to launch in the middle of 2028.
- The Philippine Passport Act does not allow a fee increase within three years of a new passport rollout.
- Raising prices too early could disrupt the new passport’s launch and pricing plan.
“You cannot increase the price of a passport within three years,” Lazaro said, pointing to the law. She added that the DFA would also need a proper communications plan before any hike takes effect.
Discounts for OFWs and Seniors
If and when the new fee does arrive, not everyone will pay the full P1,500. Under the proposal, discounted rates would apply to:
- Overseas Filipino workers – P1,200
- Senior citizens – P1,200
That’s a welcome detail for the many Filipinos working abroad who rely on their passports to keep their documents in order.
The Bigger Picture
The concern isn’t only about price. Senate finance committee chairperson JV Ejercito shared that APO warned it might be forced to stop operations if it can’t adjust its rates—raising fears of a passport shortage down the line.
Ejercito said the DFA should tell the Senate if government subsidies are needed to keep passports flowing, though he acknowledged the tight budget situation.
For now, here’s what matters most to you: passport fees stay at P950. If you’re planning a renewal, there’s no rush to beat a January deadline that isn’t coming. We’ll keep you posted as this develops.