Senators Raffy Tulfo and Joel Villanueva have filed bills to reform the travel tax, seeking exemptions for economy class passengers and potentially abolishing it entirely, as airport fees keep rising.
Amid rising airport fees, Sen. Raffy Tulfo has filed Senate Bill 88 to exempt economy class passengers from the travel tax while keeping it for business and first-class travelers. Tulfo argued that "it cannot be denied that the ordinary Filipino traveler, particularly those who travel on economy class, bears an undue financial burden because of travel tax." The bill does not aim to eliminate the tax completely but to create a fairer structure that spares budget travelers from extra costs. Under current rules, the tax is P1,620 for economy class and P2,700 for first-class, with reduced rates for groups like dependents of overseas Filipino workers.
Meanwhile, Sen. Joel Villanueva introduced Senate Bill 1529 to abolish the tax outright, reviving a prior proposal by former Sen. Koko Pimentel. Villanueva contended that the levy impedes Filipinos' right to travel under Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution, which states that the freedom to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health. For a family of four, it amounts to P6,480—funds that could go toward necessities or the local economy. He noted the bill aligns with ASEAN Tourism Agreement commitments, though revenue authorities have warned of fiscal impacts.
These proposals come as travelers express frustration over costs and experiences at Philippine airports, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where passenger and terminal fees have increased due to privatization and modernization efforts. Reports highlight congestion, long queues, and delays at NAIA. Reform supporters say easing barriers like the travel tax would alleviate the burden on Filipino travelers, while stakeholders emphasize that tax revenue is vital for tourism, education, and cultural programs funded by agencies such as TIEZA, CHED, and NCCA.
