Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and the Department of Finance (DOF) have expressed support for the proposal of Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos to abolish the travel tax.
Marcos said Zubiri is set to file a counterpart measure in the Senate, with both chambers pushing for the inclusion of the proposal among the priority bills of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
“And next week, next Tuesday, we will both push for the inclusion of the bill abolishing the travel tax in the LEDAC priorities. So hopefully magiging prioridad na ‘yan ni Pangulo, and we will make sure to pass it as soon as possible,” Marcos said.
The lawmaker added that he has already discussed the measure with Finance Secretary Frederick Go, who assured him of full support.
“Full support po siya sa bill to abolish the travel tax,” Marcos said. “And he assured me that kung ano man ang pondo na pumupunta ngayon galing sa travel tax sa higher education, ay hahanap sila ng ibang source.”
Marcos argued that the travel tax has become outdated, burdensome for travelers, and a hindrance to tourism growth.
“Honestly, it’s outdated, it’s a hassle for traveling Filipinos. We need to boost local and international tourism, and travel tax is not the way to do it,” he said.
While acknowledging the opposition of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Marcos said he respectfully disagrees, citing concerns over the efficiency of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
“I respect Sec. Frasco’s opinion, but honestly, TIEZA has an abysmal reputation in terms of absorptive capacity,” Marcos said. “The funds allocated to it are very scarcely or hardly used as efficiently as possible.”
He added that the economic multiplier effect of abolishing the travel tax would outweigh the current impact of TIEZA projects.