Tulfo pushes for abolition of travel tax: ‘Filipinos deserve a better travel experience’

Senator Erwin Tulfo has filed a bill seeking to abolish the travel tax, describing it as an outdated policy that limits the constitutional right of Filipinos to travel freely.

Under Senate Bill No. 1409, Tulfo aims to remove the travel tax imposed on all Filipino travelers, saying it is inconsistent with the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, which the Philippines signed in 2002 to promote seamless regional travel.

“Nearly fourteen years since the Philippines signed the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, we still impose this travel tax,” Tulfo said in a statement on Sunday.

“If we really want to improve the country’s tourism sector and be at par with our neighboring Southeast Asian countries, we have to remove these barriers that disempower Filipinos to travel.”

Currently, the travel tax ranges from P1,620 to P2,700 for economy and first-class passage.

Reduced rates apply to certain groups, from P810 to P1,350 under the standard reduced rate, and P300 to P400 for dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The travel tax is collected under several laws, including Republic Act No. 1478 (Tourism Board Law), which allocates 50% of revenues to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; RA 7722 (Higher Education Act), which grants 40% to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); and RA 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009), which earmarks the remaining 10% for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Tulfo argued that abolishing the tax would make travel more “equitable, accessible, and reasonably priced” for Filipinos, adding that exposure to other countries can enrich the nation’s cultural awareness and global competitiveness.

“Filipinos deserve a better travel experience that could render not only good memories but also better expose them to various cultures around the world,” he said.

While the travel tax currently funds education, tourism infrastructure, and cultural programs, Tulfo maintained that easing travel restrictions would ultimately benefit both Filipinos and the local tourism industry in the long run.