House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the president’s son, has filed a bill seeking to abolish the country’s travel tax, arguing that the levy places an unnecessary burden on Filipino families and hinders tourism growth in the Philippines.
In a statement on Wednesday reported by local media outlet The Philippine Star, Marcos said the tax limits households’ ability to allocate resources for basic needs and mobility, including travel for work, family visits, and other opportunities. He added that rising travel costs reduce spending and economic circulation, weakening broader economic activity.
“When travel becomes more expensive, fewer people move, fewer people spend, and fewer opportunities circulate through the economy,” Marcos said, adding that lower costs would allow families to prioritize essential expenses.
The bill seeks to repeal Presidential Decree 1183, enacted under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., as well as provisions of the Tourism Act of 2009 that mandate fixed travel taxes. Marcos also cited the 2022 ASEAN Tourism Agreement, which encourages member states to phase out travel-related levies to promote regional mobility.
Under current rules, Filipino travelers pay either PHP1,620 ($27.46) or PHP2,700 ($45.76), depending on travel class. The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country that imposes a separate travel tax on its citizens.
The travel tax is a government levy imposed on Filipino citizens and certain long-term foreign residents when departing the country, separate from airport and service fees. It is collected by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and primarily applies to economy- and first-class travelers, while most short-term foreign visitors are exempt.
According to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, proceeds are allocated to infrastructure development, tourism education under the Commission on Higher Education, and cultural programs through the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Marcos said tourism programs should instead be funded through the General Appropriations Act to ensure transparency and continuity.
The proposal comes as the Philippines recently introduced a visa-free policy for visitors from China, aimed at boosting inbound tourism. In 2025, the Department of Tourism recorded 6,484,060 visitor arrivals, up 0.76 percent year-on-year.
Marcos said abolishing the travel tax could further stimulate tourism-related sectors and support job creation, at a time when domestic travel costs have drawn public criticism.
