Filipinos may soon face higher costs when renewing or applying for a new passport, as officials discuss a potential price jump from the current Php950 to Php1,500. During a recent Senate budget hearing, the government’s passport printer, APO Production, warned that a fee adjustment is essential to maintain operations and avoid a supply shortage in the coming year. While Senate Finance Committee chairperson Senator Jayvee Ejercito acknowledged the financial strain this could place on citizens, he suggested that the government might offer discounts of up to Php300 for vulnerable groups, such as elderly applicants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

DFA Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro noted that passport fees have remained stagnant since 2016, though she expressed hesitation regarding the timing of the hike. The department has pushed for the printer to delay the increase until 2028, coinciding with the launch of the next generation of passports, which will utilize updated materials. This proposal comes despite previous adjustments made to consular fees in 2022, which drew criticism from advocacy groups like Migrante International. As the country processes over two million passports annually, the ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between sustaining critical infrastructure and protecting the budgets of millions of Filipinos living abroad.