The House Committee on Tourism has approved in principle a measure filed by House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos seeking to abolish the travel tax, along with five similar bills.
During its February 23 hearing, the panel chaired by Romblon Representative Eleandro Jesus Madrona said all six measures would advance, subject to the adoption of a clear and sustainable alternative funding mechanism to protect programs currently supported by travel tax collections.
Madrona directed the committee Secretariat to prepare a report and transmit it to the Committees on Ways and Means and Appropriations for further review.
The Ways and Means panel will study the tax provisions, while Appropriations will address funding safeguards.
Marcos, in filing House Bill No. 7443, called for the repeal of the travel tax imposed under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and related provisions of the Tourism Act of 2009.
“The travel tax was created in a very different economic context. Today, it has become an added cost that restricts mobility and weighs heavily on ordinary Filipinos who simply want to travel for work, family or opportunity,” he said.
Under current rules, first-class passengers pay ₱2,700 while economy travelers pay ₱1,620. Marcos argued that these charges strain household budgets and limit broader economic activity.
“When travel becomes more expensive, fewer people move, fewer people spend and fewer opportunities circulate through the economy. Lowering the cost of travel allows Filipino families to allocate their money where it matters most,” he explained.
The committee also tackled 12 bills proposing exemptions for specific sectors, as well as a privilege speech by Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez calling for the removal of the tax for departing Filipinos.
Madrona noted that such exemptions would no longer be necessary if the travel tax is fully abolished.
House Appropriations chair Mika Suansing assured stakeholders that funding protections would be carefully refined as the proposals move forward.
“Given the criticality of the funds, we will work together to ensure that those funds will remain available. We hear you. We understand the current structure, and we will craft a mechanism responsive to the needs of the different government agencies,” she said.
The move signals growing legislative momentum to eliminate the decades-old levy while ensuring government programs remain funded.