Capiznon Congressman Nathaniel “Nat” Oducado of 1Tahanan Party-list is seeking travel tax exemptions for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), students and senior citizens.
In House Bill No. 6979, Oducado is calling for a review of the current travel tax framework that burdens the three sectors of Filipino society.
“This bill seeks to ensure that the travel tax system is equitable, sensitive to socioeconomic disparities, and aligned with the principle of progressive taxation,” wrote Oducado in the bill’s explanatory note.
Filipinos traveling abroad currently have to pay travel tax of P1,620 if they are economy class passengers and P2,700 for first-class passengers.
“The burden of the travel tax is felt most acutely by vulnerable and lower-income sectors of society. For many of them, the travel tax represents a substantial additional cost that restricts mobility, limits family reunification and hampers access to overseas opportunities,” added Oducado.
Aside from the three vulnerable sectors, the Capiznon party-list representative also pushing for travel tax exemption to middle-class Filipino households such as nurses, teachers, government employees, and small business owners.
“These families make up the majority of economy-class travelers and frequently experience financial strain,” Oducado pointed out.
Oducado also noted that at P1,620 travel tax per passenger, it would mean that a family of four would spend P6,480 in travel tax alone.
Senator Erwin Tulfo has a similar bill in the Senate.
