Bong Go has filed Senate Bill No. 1849 seeking to abolish the travel tax imposed on Filipinos leaving the country and on nationals of ASEAN member states traveling to other ASEAN destinations.
The travel tax was originally established under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and later incorporated and amended under Republic Act No. 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009. Under current regulations, Filipinos and certain foreign nationals departing from the Philippines are required to pay the tax.
In the explanatory note of the bill, Go cited the constitutional guarantee of the right to travel.
“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.
Go noted that despite the constitutional protection, the government continues to collect travel tax from Filipinos and certain foreign nationals leaving the country.
“Despite this constitutional guarantee, the Philippine government imposes a travel tax on Filipinos and certain foreign nationals leaving the country,” he said.
He also referenced the ASEAN Tourism Agreement of 2002, which encourages the progressive removal of travel-related barriers among ASEAN member states to promote tourism, mobility, and regional integration.
Under Senate Bill No. 1849, Filipinos departing the Philippines and nationals of ASEAN member states traveling within ASEAN would be excluded from paying the travel tax.
The bill also provides a refund mechanism for travelers who paid the tax before 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.
If enacted into law, the measure would amend existing travel tax provisions under PD 1183 and RA 9593 to implement the proposed exemptions and refund mechanism.
