Manila: The proposed abolition of the travel tax is both an economic reform and a compliance to an agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Senator Joel Villanueva said Wednesday. "With millions of Filipinos traveling abroad every year, this fee adds significant cost. The time is ripe to remove an outdated burden," he said.

According to Philippines News Agency, Villanueva underscored the Philippines' obligations under the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, which calls for the gradual removal of travel levies among member states. "By maintaining the travel tax, the Philippines is failing to fully comply with the agreement," Villanueva said, noting that regional integration requires policies that ease, not restrict movement.

Villanueva mentioned that the inclusion of the bill abolishing the tax in the priority list of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the recent meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) indicated it is time for legislative action. The senator earlier filed Senate Bill No. 1529 seeking to remove the imposition of travel tax on Filipinos and nationals of ASEAN member states traveling within the regional bloc.

Villanueva explained that the levy was crafted at a time when overseas travel was largely considered a luxury, but has since become embedded in everyday economic and social realities. "Public policy must evolve with economic reality," he said. He further noted that the tax structure disproportionately affects lower- and middle-income households, particularly families traveling together.

Economy-class passengers currently pay PHP1,620 each, which means that a family of four would shoulder PHP6,480 before departure.