Malacañang Palace on Tuesday announced that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will prioritize the abolition of the travel tax imposed on airline passengers, along with 20 other measures deemed urgent for passage before the end of the first half of the year.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the travel tax abolition was among the 21 priority bills endorsed by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council and approved by the President.
“During the LEDAC meeting held this morning, President Marcos Jr. prioritized 21 pieces of legislation that will help improve the lives of the people. Among the President's priorities to be passed in June are the following: Travel Tax Abolition, Expanded Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act of 2026, Fake News and Digital Disinformation, which also aims to close the door to those who commit various online crimes, and the BARMM elections,” Castro said.
The LEDAC is composed of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and three congressmen designated by him, seven Cabinet members designated by the President, and three senators designated by the Senate President.
Castro said once the travel tax is abolished through signed legislation, projects previously funded by travel tax collections will instead be financed through the General Appropriations Act.
At present, travel tax revenues are allocated among the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Travel tax in the Philippines is a government-imposed fee on individuals leaving the country. Most Filipino adults pay P2,700 for first-class passage and P1,620 for economy class passage.
On the possible economic impact of scrapping the travel tax, Castro said the matter was not discussed during the LEDAC meeting as the bill has yet to be finalized.
Meanwhile, Mark Lapid, general manager of TIEZA, said the agency would abide by whatever measure lawmakers approve regarding the abolition of the travel tax.
“We do not object to any measures and bills, since it falls under the legislative branch. I am confident that whatever decisions our lawmakers make, it will be for the best of our tourism industry,” Lapid told the Daily Tribune in a text message.