Cheaper passport looms – DFA source

A much cheaper passport fee looms as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) undertakes negotiations with state-owned printing firm APO Production Unit to lower the cost of production by as much as R280. APO is the agency that bagged the multibillion printing of electronic passport last year. An unimpeachable source who spoke to Manila Bulletin over the telephone said the idea to reduce the passport fee came following an informal review conducted by the DFA on the contract entered into by APO and the department in 2015. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. reportedly sought an informal review of the agreement with APO to ensure “speedy processing” of passport.