Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said on Wednesday that the fees being charged by the Philippine government for the issuance of e-passports are relatively cheaper compared to those by other countries.

Romulo made this statement following complaints made by a migrant rights' group that the government is overcharging in the application, renewal and replacement of e-passports.

According to Romulo the government is charging only $60 for the processing of e-passport in the Philippines, compared to Malaysia which charges $88 , Turkey for $150, US for $97 and Japan for $182.

On the other hand, e-passport costs 60 euros(US$77) in France, US$97 in the United States, and £72 (US$107) in the United Kingdom.

“It is at a price that is comparable to, and in fact, less expensive than e-passports issued by other countries,” Romulo told reporters in a press briefing at the Harbor View Restaurant in Manila. Romulo also said that the new Philippine e-passport has special features that make it secure, highly credible and compliant with international standards. It is also significantly benefiting the overseas contract workers and other traveling Filipinos.

In addition, Romulo said that the DFA has sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe and arrest suspected fixers of passport applications and its issuance.

Romulo lauded Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor Ledda and Acting Consular Affairs director Felipe Carino “for a job well done in implementing the e-passport program.”