Senator Bong Go has joined calls to abolish the travel tax, calling it an unnecessary burden on Filipinos and nationals of member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Go filed Senate Bill No. 1849, which seeks to remove the levy imposed on Filipinos leaving the country and on ASEAN nationals traveling within the region.
In the bill’s explanatory note, Go cited constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of movement.
“The right to travel is guaranteed under Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that such right shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health,” Go said.
“As a fundamental principle, the State must ensure that the lawful movement of persons is not burdened by unnecessary restrictions,” he added.
The senator pointed out that despite this guarantee, the government continues to impose a travel tax on Filipinos and certain foreign nationals.
The levy was first established under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and later incorporated into Republic Act No. 9593, also known as the Tourism Act of 2009.
However, Go argued that its continued implementation runs counter to the ASEAN Tourism Agreement of 2002, which promotes the removal of travel-related barriers to boost tourism, mobility, and regional integration.
Under Senate Bill No. 1849, Filipinos and ASEAN nationals would be exempt from paying the travel tax.
The proposed measure also includes provisions for refunds in cases where the tax had already been paid prior to the law’s effectivity.
“For flights scheduled immediately after the date of the effectivity of this Act, the collecting authority shall refund any previously paid travel tax to the passenger,” the bill stated.