Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3890 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” 
- Mark 16:15
The travel tax was first imposed under Republic Act No. 1478 in 1956 and later amended 
through Presidential Decree No. 1183, issued by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1977. 
Unfortunately, it is outdated and no longer aligned with current economic and regional goals. 
Under the ASEAN Tourism Agreement of 2002, member states shall facilitate travel within and 
into ASEAN by, among others, phasing out travel levies and travel taxes on nationals of 
ASEAN Member States traveling to other ASEAN Member States. 
This proposed bill aims to enhance the realization of freedom of movement that our 
fundamental law envisions for every citizen while fulfilling the Philippines' commitment to 
ASEAN to support regional cooperation. The removal of the travel tax is long overdue since it 
discourages tourism and regional mobility. The Philippines remains the only ASEAN country 
that still imposes this outdated tax on outbound travelers. 
Currently, although Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Filipino permanent residents abroad 
who stayed less than a year in the Philippines, and children aged two years and below are 
exempt from paying the travel tax, the existing travel tax disproportionately affects ordinary 
residents, particularly those flying economy. 
By making travel more affordable, it will encourage more people to travel and spend more. 
Tourism infrastructure projects have been driven by increased travel and the temporary 
migration of the OFWs. Interestingly, since fuel and movement of goods are also taxed, it only 
shows that there are ways by which the revenue loss can be offset. Clearly, the benefits of 
abolishing travel tax outweigh the temporary loss that the government would have to bear. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
August 20, 2025
1:45 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3890 
Introduced by HON. JORGE DANIEL S. BOCOBO 
AN ACT  
ABOLISHING THE TRAVEL TAX ON FILIPINOS AND ON NATIONALS OF 
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) MEMBER STATES 
TRAVELLING TO OTHER ASEAN MEMBER STATES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Abolishing the Travel Tax. - Travel tax shall no longer be imposed on the 
following individuals: 
a) Filipinos leaving the Philippines; and
b) Nationals of the other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member
States leaving the Philippines and travelling to other ASEAN member states.
SEC. 2. Repeal. - Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended, laws, executive orders
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable 
from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,