Senator Erwin Tulfo is pushing for the abolition of the travel tax imposed on all Filipinos leaving the country, saying it restricts the people’s right to travel freely.
Under Senate Bill No. 1409, Tulfo seeks to remove the existing travel tax system, which he described as outdated and inconsistent with the ASEAN Tourism Agreement signed by the Philippines in 2002 during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Nearly 14 years since the Philippines signed the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, we still impose this travel tax,” Tulfo said.
He explained that SB 1409 aims to fully repeal the imposition of travel tax, aligning the country with its regional neighbors who have long eliminated such fees to encourage tourism and regional mobility.
Currently, travel tax collection is governed by Republic Act No. 1478 or the Tourism Board Law, where 50% of the revenue goes to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). Another 40% is allocated to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under Republic Act No. 7722 (Higher Education Act), while the remaining 10% is earmarked for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) under the Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593).
At present, travel tax rates range from ₱1,620 to ₱2,700 for economy to first-class tickets. The Standard Reduced Rate is between ₱810 and ₱1,350, while the Privileged Reduced Rate for dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is ₱300 to ₱400.
“If we really want to improve the country’s tourism sector and be at par with our neighboring Southeast Asian countries, we have to remove these barriers that disempower Filipinos to travel,” Tulfo stressed.
He added that lifting the travel tax would not only make international travel more accessible to ordinary Filipinos but also enhance the country’s competitiveness in global tourism.
“Filipinos deserve a better travel experience that could render not only good memories but also better expose them to various cultures around the world,” the senator said.