Passport printing agency denies seeking fee increase

MANILA — The state-owned printing agency responsible for Philippine passports denied Wednesday that it had petitioned for an increase in passport fees, clarifying its position before the Senate finance subcommittee.

Atty. Gil Carlos Puyat, president of APO Production Unit Inc., told the panel that the agency had requested a government subsidy to absorb passport printing costs rather than pass expenses to consumers through higher fees.

The clarification comes as the government continues reviewing passport operations and associated costs. APO Production Unit Inc. produces Philippine passports and has been seeking financial support to maintain service levels amid rising production expenses.

Puyat's statement suggests the agency views government financing as a preferable alternative to increasing fees paid by citizens renewing or obtaining new passports. The distinction marks an important point in ongoing discussions about passport services sustainability.