House Panel Approves Bill to Scrap Travel Tax for Filipino Travelers

The House Committee on Tourism has approved a proposed measure that seeks to abolish the travel tax imposed on Filipino passengers, in a move aimed at reducing the financial burden on outbound travelers and improving the country’s travel competitiveness.

The bill, which gained the panel’s approval on Monday, February 23, proposes to repeal the travel tax currently being collected under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and the Tourism Act of 2009. Once enacted into law, Filipino travelers departing for international destinations would no longer be required to pay the additional levy on top of existing airfare and airport fees.

Lawmakers backing the measure said the travel tax has long been viewed as an added cost that discourages international travel, particularly among budget-conscious passengers such as overseas Filipino workers, students, and families traveling for personal reasons.

The proposal is also seen as a way to align the Philippines with neighboring countries in the region that do not impose similar outbound travel taxes, potentially making international travel more accessible to Filipinos.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier expressed support for the measure, urging Congress to prioritize legislation that would eliminate the travel tax as part of efforts to stimulate tourism-related economic activity.

Advocates of the bill believe that removing the tax could encourage more outbound travel while allowing Filipino passengers to allocate their funds toward airfare, accommodation, and other travel-related expenses.

The measure is expected to undergo further deliberations before being submitted for plenary approval.