The Philippine government is expected to shoulder the proposed increase in passport production costs instead of passing the additional expense on to the public, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said.

“Kung ano man yung pagtaas ng printing cost ng passport, hindi natin ipapasa sa mamamayan,” Gomez said.

Gomez said the added cost will be covered through government subsidy and may be included in the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which is currently under consideration by Congress.

“Yung dagdag na cost ng passport ay hopefully manggaling sa budget ng DFA na ngayon ay nakasalang sa Senado at sa Kongreso,” he added.

The fee for the 10-year valid passport is expected to increase from ₱950 to ₱1,500.

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