Senator Mark Villar is urging the immediate enactment of Senate Bill No. 1870, titled the “Travel Tax Abolition Act,” to eliminate the travel fee imposed on Filipinos traveling overseas.
Villar stated that the levy, established decades ago, creates an undue financial strain on citizens leaving the country for employment, education, medical care, business, or family visits.
“Hindi dapat maging dagdag na pasanin ang pag-alis ng bansa, lalo na para sa mga Pilipinong bumibiyahe upang magtrabaho, mag-aral, magpagamot, magnegosyo, o makasama ang kanilang pamilya. Panahon nang alisin ang travel tax at ibalik sa ating mga kababayan ang perang maaari nilang magamit sa mas mahalagang pangangailangan,” Villar said.
First instituted in 1977 under Presidential Decree No. 1183 during an era when foreign trips were viewed as a luxury, the policy is now outdated, according to the lawmaker.
Passengers currently pay ₱1,620 for economy class and ₱2,700 for first class, which adds up to ₱6,480 for a family of four flying economy before departure.
“Malaking bagay na sa isang pamilya ang ₱6,480. Maaari itong ilaan sa pagkain, pamasahe, tirahan, gamot, o iba pang gastusin sa biyahe. Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, nararapat lamang na alisin natin ang mga singil na hindi na angkop sa kasalukuyang panahon,” Villar added.
Under SB No. 1870, public and private entities would be barred from collecting the tax once the law takes effect, while travelers who prepaid for flights on or after the effectivity date would receive full, immediate refunds.
The proposal also aligns with the ASEAN Tourism Agreement to foster regional mobility and connectivity.
Addressing revenue concerns, Villar assured that state initiatives supported by the tax will instead be integrated into the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). Currently, 50 percent of collections fund the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), 40 percent go to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for tourism programs, and 10 percent go to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
“Patuloy nating susuportahan ang turismo, edukasyon, at kultura, ngunit hindi kailangang manggaling ang pondo sa dagdag na singil sa mga Pilipinong bumibiyahe. Ang mga ito ay pambansang programa na dapat pondohan sa ilalim ng pambansang budget,” Villar stressed.