House Advances Bill to Remove Travel Tax

The House of Representatives of the Philippines has approved on second reading a measure seeking to abolish the country’s travel tax, a move lawmakers say could reduce the cost of overseas trips for Filipino travelers.

During a plenary session, House Bill No. 8464 was approved through a voice vote. The measure was sponsored by Eleandro Jesus Madrona, chair of the House Committee on Tourism, and was later endorsed for second reading after deliberations in several House panels.

If enacted, the bill would remove the travel tax imposed under Presidential Decree No. 1183 as well as related provisions of the Tourism Act of 2009. The current tax charges departing passengers up to ₱2,700 for first-class tickets and ₱1,620 for economy-class travelers.

Lawmakers Cite Outdated Policy

Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, who authored a related proposal supporting the repeal, said the tax was created under very different economic conditions and now serves as an unnecessary expense for travelers.

He argued that removing the levy would help ease travel costs for Filipinos who fly abroad for work, family matters, or other opportunities.

Funding Concerns Raised

At present, the travel tax generates roughly ₱8 billion annually, with funds distributed among the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Officials from the higher education sector have raised concerns about the potential loss of revenue, since a portion of the tax supports the Higher Education Development Fund under Republic Act No. 7722.

To address the issue, Mikaela Angela Suansing, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said lawmakers are coordinating with the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management to ensure that affected agencies receive replacement funding.

The proposed abolition of the travel tax is also included among priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.