Bong Go Files Bill to Abolish Travel Tax — Says It's an 'Unnecessary Burden' on Filipinos and ASEAN Travelers

Senator Bong Go has filed Senate Bill No. 1849 seeking to abolish the travel tax imposed on Filipinos leaving the country and on ASEAN nationals traveling to other ASEAN destinations. The proposal comes as the House Committee on Tourism already approved similar measures, signaling bipartisan support for scrapping the unpopular levy.

In his explanatory note, Go cited Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that the right to travel 'shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health.' He argued the travel tax — currently ₱1,620 for economy class passengers — doesn't meet any of those criteria.

The bill also invokes the ASEAN Tourism Agreement of 2002, which encourages the progressive removal of travel-related barriers among member states. Under Go's proposal, 'no government agency or private entity shall collect travel tax' once the law takes effect, and a refund mechanism would cover taxes already paid for flights scheduled after implementation.

To address the agencies currently funded by travel tax collections — including the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) — the bill proposes shifting their funding to the annual General Appropriations Act.

The travel tax has long been a sore point for Filipino travelers, especially OFWs and budget-conscious families. With both chambers of Congress now moving on abolition bills, the outdated tax — established under a Marcos-era presidential decree — may finally be on its way out.

Source: Daily Tribune