President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has elevated the proposed abolition of the travel tax to the top of the government’s legislative priorities, signaling a strong push to lower travel costs, stimulate tourism, and support broader economic activity.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the measure is among 21 priority bills endorsed by the Legislative–Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which the President wants Congress to pass before the current session adjourns in June.
“The President emphasized the importance of easing the expenses of tourists and travelers,” Castro said during a press briefing following the LEDAC meeting. “That is why the travel tax abolition is one of his priority bills—to help increase tourism in the country.”
The proposal is positioned as a broad-based relief measure, benefiting not only leisure travelers but also Filipinos traveling overseas for work, medical needs, or emergencies.
Alongside the travel tax bill, the LEDAC agenda includes measures targeting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, fake news and digital disinformation, political dynasty reform, and stronger transparency and accountability in government spending.
Tourism stakeholders have raised concerns over the potential loss of funding tied to the tax, but Castro said existing allocations are clearly defined and audited.
Under current rules, 50 percent of travel tax collections go to tourism infrastructure development, 40 percent fund higher education scholarships through the Commission on Higher Education, and 10 percent support cultural and heritage programs via the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. All disbursements are subject to Commission on Audit review, she noted.
The House of Representatives earlier pushed for the inclusion of the measure in the LEDAC priority list. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III described the proposal—filed as House Bill No. 7443 by Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos—as a “practical, equitable, and progressive reform.”
At present, the travel tax imposed on outbound Filipino travelers ranges from about P1,620 to P2,700, depending on travel class. With Malacañang backing and LEDAC endorsement, the bill is expected to move quickly through Congress.
