Manila: Senator Raffy Tulfo has renewed his advocacy for the abolition of the travel tax imposed on Filipinos traveling in economy class, emphasizing that the tax places an unnecessary financial burden on ordinary travelers who already face multiple taxation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, introduced Senate Bill No. 88, which proposes to exempt economy class passengers from the travel tax. However, the bill maintains the levy for business and first-class travelers. Tulfo highlighted that ordinary Filipino travelers are disproportionately affected by the travel tax, which is in addition to other tax obligations such as income and consumption taxes.

The senator explained that his bill does not seek to eliminate the travel tax entirely but aims to create a fairer tax structure. The proposed change would retain the travel tax for passengers in business class and higher, who have a greater financial capacity to support national development initiatives. Tulfo assured that the proposed measure would not impede the funding of programs managed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.