The House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill to abolish the travel tax, aiming to ease costs for Filipino travelers.
House Bill No. 8464, sponsored by Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, repeals the tax under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and the Tourism Act of 2009, which currently charges up to P2,700 for first-class and P1,620 for economy-class passengers.
Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos said the tax is outdated and restricts mobility for ordinary Filipinos.
The travel tax currently generates around P8 billion annually for agencies, including CHEd, raising concerns about funding gaps if the bill becomes law.
Committee leaders assured that the Department of Finance and Budget will work to bridge any revenue shortfall, with the bill identified as a priority measure for passage before June.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 12, 2026
