TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL-8 P5--43
SENATE
s. No. 268
m:oii-
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam " A. Aquino IV
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Presidential Decree No. 1183 introduced the Travel Tax as a means to support 
tourism infrastructure, education, and cultural programs in the Philippines. While this 
tax once played an important role in funding national development, it has become a 
significant and often burdensome cost for Filipino travelers and our ASEAN neighbors. 
Thus, this bill seeks to abolish the travel tax for Filipinos and ASEAN nationals traveling 
within the ASEAN region, offering several key advantages that address the needs of 
travelers and support national and regional goals.
First, removing the travel tax directly lowers the cost of travel for Filipino 
families, students, and other travelers. The current tax of Pl,620 - P2,700 is a 
considerable added expense, especially for families traveling together or for workers 
who save carefully to visit loved ones. By eliminating this fee for travel within ASEAN, 
the bill makes cross-border travel more affordable and accessible to a wider range of 
Filipinos.
Second, the measure is also expected to support tourism and economic growth. 
According to the Department of Tourism, more than 4 million Filipinos travel to ASEAN 
destinations annually. Abolishing the travel tax for these trips could save travelers an 
estimated P6.5-10 billion per year, money that will likely be spent on accommodations, 
food, transport, and other services across ASEAN, including in the Philippines.
Third, removing the travel tax enhances the Philippines' position as a tourism 
hub and regional gateway. For ASEAN nationals who transit through or visit the 
Philippines en route to other ASEAN destinations, the travel tax is an added cost that 
may discourage multi-destination travel. Abolishing it improves the competitiveness of 
our airports and tourism facilities, making the Philippines a more attractive point of 
entry and transit in the region.


Overall, this policy also aligns with the goals of ASEAN integration. The ASEAN 
Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 calls for reducing barriers to the 
movement of people, services, and trade across member states. By eliminating the 
travel tax for ASEAN trips, the Philippines demonstrates its commitment to these 
regional goals and contributes to building a more connected, integrated, and 
cooperative Southeast Asian community.
Neighboring ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, have already 
adopted policies to reduce or waive similar departure fees for ASEAN travel to support 
integration and boost tourism competitiveness. Adopting this approach in the 
Philippines modernizes our travel policies, ensures they are in line with regional best 
practices, and promotes ASEAN cooperation.
By passing this bill, we take a meaningful step toward making travel fairer, 
more affordable, and truly reflective of our commitment to regional unity and 
progress.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
C^UAAr\r~


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
2b JUL -8 P5 :43
SENATE
268
S. No.
\\\(.:
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV
1
2
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 Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
Section 1, Abolishing the Travel Tax for ASEAN Travel. - Travel tax shall no 
longer be imposed on:
3 
a) Filipino citizens leaving the Philippines for travel to other ASEAN member states;
4 
and
5 
b) Nationals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States
6 
departing the Philippines for travel to other ASEAN member states.
7 
Sec. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The Tourism Infrastructure and
8 
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration,
9 
the Department of Tourism, and other relevant airport and seaport authorities, shall 
10 take the necessary steps to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.
11 
The implementing agencies shall promulgate the rules and regulations within sixty
12 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act.


1 
The exemption from the travel tax shall not entitle any person to a refund of travel
2 
taxes paid prior to the effectivity of this Act, even if the date of travel occurs thereafter.
3 
Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act be
4 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as
5 
they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
6 
Sec. 5. Repeating Clause. - Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended, laws,
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executive orders or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
8 
modified, or amended accordingly.
9 
Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
10 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,