FEBRUARY 4, 2026 — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has filed House Bill No. 7443 seeking the immediate abolition of the travel tax, calling it a heavy burden on ordinary Filipinos. For decades, this tax has been quietly draining wallets — P2,700 for first-class tickets, P1,620 for economy. Imagine a family of four shelling out P6,480 just to step on a plane. 

Marcos himself points out, “This amount could have been allocated to essential household needs or reinvested in the local economy.”

So why are we still paying for something that discourages mobility and suppresses tourism growth? Marcos argues that taxation on personal travel and even online bookings has become a deterrent, not a driver. He insists that scrapping the tax will not only uphold our constitutional right to travel but also spark economic activity. 

“Increased traveler volume will stimulate tourism-dependent sectors, including hotels, transportation services, tour operations, and retail establishments, resulting in broader economic activity and job creation,” he said.

Filipinos love to travel. Whether it’s balikbayans visiting family, OFWs flying home, or local tourists exploring our islands, mobility is part of our culture. But every peso counts. For many households, that travel tax is the difference between booking a flight or staying home. 

Isn’t it ironic that a country banking on tourism growth is taxing its own people for the very act of traveling?

The bigger debate here is whether the government can afford to lose this revenue stream. But if the payoff is stronger tourism, more jobs, and a freer flow of people, isn’t that worth more than the short-term collection?

So, should the travel tax finally be grounded for good — or will it continue to clip the wings of ordinary Filipinos?

(Image: TIEZA - Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority | Facebook)