MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has asked APO Production Unit Inc. to postpone a proposed increase in the Philippine passport fee until the planned rollout of the next-generation passport in June 2028.

APO, which produces Philippine passports, proposed increasing the current passport fee from ₱950 to ₱1,500 beginning January 2027, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

Lazaro said the DFA instead asked APO to defer the adjustment so that any increase could coincide with the introduction of the next-generation Philippine passport.

The DFA has tentatively targeted June 2028 for the rollout of the new passport. The redesigned booklet is expected to comply with International Civil Aviation Organization standards and feature enhanced security measures, additional pages for its 10-year validity, and updated contactless chip technology.

Lazaro said APO's request for a higher fee came after the current rate had remained unchanged for more than a decade.

She also cited the extension of Philippine passport validity from five years to 10 years, which reduced the frequency at which passport holders need to renew their travel documents.

The DFA secretary said implementing a fee increase in January 2027 could complicate another adjustment when the next-generation passport is introduced.

Under the implementing rules of Republic Act No. 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act, passport and travel document fees may not be increased more than once every three years.

The next-generation passport program is already part of the DFA's preparations for 2027. The department earlier said the new booklet would include additional pages, enhanced security features and the latest contactless chip technology.

For now, the proposed increase from ₱950 to ₱1,500 has not yet taken effect, with the DFA seeking to move its implementation to the planned June 2028 rollout.

‍