THE extension of the validity period of passports and driver’s licenses should not make them more expensive, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said on Sunday.
Andaya, a deputy speaker and author of the bills prescribing a 10-year passport and a five-year license to drive, said “lengthening the legal life of such important documents should not spark an increase in their processing fees.”
“Longer expiry dates do not mean that we should up price,” he said.
He cited “cost recovery, not the profit motive,” as the “established basic principle” in setting the fees and charges.
“The idea is just for the government to recoup all the expenses in processing the permit, which may include the cost of equipment procured to ensure fast delivery,” he said.
“These are basic documents citizens must have and as such must be affordable.”
The renewal of a non-professional driver’s license costs P526, while the fee for the renewal of a passport is P1,200 for at least seven working days of processing time and P950 for one to be released in 15 working days.
According to Andaya, the income statements of the Land Transportation Office and Department of Foreign Affairs showed a rising revenue stream, mostly generated from the issuance of driver’s licenses and passports, respectively.
Under House Bill 2827, he said by lengthening the validity period of the passports, red tape is cut.