No Price Hike for Philippine Passports: A Promise from the Printing Agency
In a recent budget hearing at the Senate, the printing agency responsible for Philippine passports, APO Production Unit, Inc., made a heartfelt vow: they will not increase the price of passports for the public. But there’s a catch. The agency is asking senators for subsidies to help support their operations during these challenging times.
APO Production Unit President, Gil Carlos Puyat, took the stand to explain their situation. “We are not asking for an increase in passport prices,” he clarified. “What we truly need is a subsidy; we hope the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) can include this in their budget.” He elaborated passionately, “Hindi po namin ipapasa sa public yung pagtaas,” meaning, “We will not pass the price hike on to the public.”
Puyat emphasized that they cannot raise prices on their own, as they serve merely as a servicing agency under the guidance of the DFA. He noted that passport prices have remained unchanged since 2016.
However, factors beyond their control have made things difficult. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the war between the U.S. and Iran, have disrupted supplies. Rising costs of raw materials and logistics, compounded by inflation, have created a pressing challenge. Moreover, the extension of passport validity from five to ten years means fewer passports are produced, adding another layer of strain.
Senate Committee on Finance Chair, JV Ejercito, acknowledged the situation and stressed the urgency of finding a solution. “The last thing we want is for our people, especially our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), to be without passports. That would be a nightmare,” Ejercito said, his concern evident.
Adding to the reassuring words, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez promised, “You have my personal assurance that we will not impose a price increase on our citizens, nor pass on the additional costs of printing passports.”
As the complexities of the situation unfold, one thing remains clear: the commitment to protect the public from soaring passport costs is unwavering. The battle for budget support continues, but the promise to the Filipino people stands strong—no price hike, just a heartfelt appeal for assistance.
Stay tuned for real-time updates and developments in the Philippines and around the world.
