Republic of the Philippines es
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [$ receven >
Quezon City pave: MAY 08 2017

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5572

Introduced by Manila Teachers Representative
VIRGILIO S. LACSON

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Itis the declared policy of the State to promote participation and development in all segments of
the society as stipulated in the Constitution which provides that the State shall protect civil
liberties and promote the general welfare of the people for the enjoyment by all of the blessings
of democracy.

From these State policies, government must provide opportunities to lessen restrictions on the
fundamental civil liberties enjoyed by the people. In this particular instance, the right of the
people to foreign travel especially those who are engaged in representing the country in various
international fora.

While present statutes provide exemptions to travel tax payments, the processing of the
exemption by securing a Travel Tax Exemption Certificate from Tourism Infrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) requires submission of original and photocopies of pertinent
documents and payment of a processing fee of P200. This defeats the purpose of the law in
easing restrictions in foreign travel

‘This representation believes that government support must be available in terms of incentives
and efficient service to public officials and employees, school teachers and students who engage
themselves in representing the country. Exempting people automatically in paying travel taxes
who bring honor and pride to the country and doing representational work for and in behalf of
the government in international cooperation and bilateral meetings, only requiring to show
pertinent documents to authorities in the point of embarkation, will unburden those who travel
within a limited budget.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

nal 10 S. LACSON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 9572

Introduced by Manila Teachers Representative
VIRGILIO S. LACSON

AN ACT
GRANTING AUTOMATIC TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS
AND EMPLOYEES, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
ENGAGED IN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIONS, ACADEMIC CONFERENCES ,
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONSORTIUM AND SPORT TOURNAMENTS
ABROAD

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Expanded Automatic Travel Tax
Exemption Act”

SEC. 2. Coverage. — Public officials and employees, private and public school teachers and
students representing the country abroad in state-visits, official trips, political and economic
cooperation and bilateral meetings, academic conferences, international research consortium and
sport tournaments shall be automatically exempted in paying travel taxes upon presentation of
supporting documents and valid identification cards to airport authorities at the point of
embarkation.

SEC, 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise
Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), within sixty (60) days
upon approval of this Act, in coordination with relevant agencies shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulation to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

We


SEC. 5. Repealing Clause, ~ All laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations, and other parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,