The House of Representatives Committee on Tourism approved a bill seeking to abolish the travel tax for Filipino travelers to boost travel competitiveness.

The bill’s passage would mean travel tax imposed under Presidential Decree No. 1183 and the Tourism Act of 2009 would be repealed to ease the financial burden on ordinary passengers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he wants lawmakers to prioritize the passage of bill that would abolish travel tax.

Committee Chair Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona approved the measure consolidating 18 bills to seek to abolish the travel tax, subject to the crafting of a clear and sustainable alternative funding mechanism for important programs supported by the tax collections.

The panel consolidated House Bills 7367, 7443, 7612, 7703, 7757, 150, 3529, 3890, 4793, 7155, 7631, 5821, 6228, 6979, 7307, 7695, 7758, 7845, including the privilege speech of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

The abolition of the travel tax was added to the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority list as of February 10, 2026, with a target of passing the measure by June 2026.

The proposal seeks to eliminate the current P1,620 to P2,700 tax imposed on departing passengers. Cebu City Rep. Eduardo Rama, author of House Bill 7367, emphasized that the travel tax imposes an additional burden on Filipino travelers and is at odds with the government’s policy of easing travel for its citizens. However, the panel members sought to ensure that programs and projects funded by proceeds from the travel tax, such as tourism, cultural development, and scholarships, will continue to have funding support.

Republic Act 9593, or the “Tourism Act of 2009,” directs travel tax revenues to agencies such as Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Committee on Appropriations Chairperson and Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing said funding continuity for the programs of these agencies will be addressed as the measure moves forward in the legislative mill.