House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos has filed a bill seeking for the "immediate abolition" of the travel tax in the Philippines.

The proposed legislation, House Bill No. 7443, also known as the “Travel Tax Abolition Act,” aims to remove the travel tax and reduce the cost of travel for Filipinos.

According to Rep. Marcos, scrapping the levy will make domestic and international travel more accessible, stimulate tourism, and aid economic recovery.

“No government agency or private entity shall collect travel taxes upon the effectivity of this Act. For flights scheduled on or after the date of effectivity, the collecting authority shall immediately refund any previously paid travel taxes to the passenger,” the proposed bill states.

Under the current system, travelers pay a fixed travel tax of PHP 2,700 for first-class passengers and PHP 1,620 for economy-class passengers.

Marcos emphasized that these charges disproportionately affect lower-income households. He added that for a family of four, the travel tax may reach PHP 6,480.00.

He added that reducing travel costs allows families to allocate their money toward essential needs, while also encouraging greater mobility, spending, and circulation of opportunities throughout the economy.

“When travel becomes more expensive, fewer people move, fewer people spend and fewer opportunities circulate through the economy. Lowering the cost of travel allows Filipino families to allocate their money where it matters most,” Marcos said.

“Travel is not a luxury for many Filipinos. It is part of how families stay connected and how workers sustain their livelihoods,” Marcos noted in the explanatory note of his bill.

Marcos argued that the travel tax has outlived its purpose, and its removal would benefit Filipino families, workers, and the tourism sector, while funding for key government agencies can still be maintained through the national budget.