04/02/2026
The End of the "Airport Aray" Is FINALLY Here (And Why It’s About Time)
Alam mo yung feeling na naka-score ka ng Piso Fare, tapos feeling mo nanalo ka sa lotto?
Pero pagdating sa payment o sa airport, biglang may panira ng mood: The Philippine Travel Tax.
₱1,620 (economy) or ₱2,700 (first class). Just like that.
Parang ang hassle, 'di ba? You worked hard to save on tickets, only to be hit by a fee that feels like a penalty just for leaving the country.
But if House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos gets his way with his newly filed House Bill No. 7443, that era might finally be over.
Here is why this proposal hits different
- and why his rationale behind his proposed bill show he gets the modern Filipino traveler.
1. Real Talk: Travel isn't a "Luxury" Anymore
Yung batas na nag-impose niyan (PD 1183) was signed way back in 1977. Panahon pa ng bell-bottoms 'yun. Back then, air travel was basically for the ultra-rich.
Pero ngayon? Necessity na siya. Rep. Sandro Marcos hit the nail on the head when he said the tax was created in a “very different economic context”.
He emphasized the reality for many of us today:
“Travel is not a luxury for many Filipinos. It is part of how families stay connected and how workers sustain their livelihoods.”
“Today, it has become an added cost that restricts mobility and weighs heavily on ordinary Filipinos who simply want to travel for work, family or opportunity.”
2. The "Family Walang Iwanan" Math
Kung solo flight ka, masakit na sa bulsa ang ₱1,620. Pero paano kung pamilya kayo?
Rep. Sandro broke down the math in his explanatory note, pointing out that:
“At present, the Philippines imposes a fiscal burden on travelers by charging ₱2,700.00 for first-class passage and ₱1,620.00 for economy class. These rates disproportionately affect lower-income households.”
For a family of four, that travel tax may reach ₱6,480.00. Instead of that money vanishing into a tax fund, Rep. Sandro argues:
“This amount could have been allocated to essential household needs or reinvested in the local economy.”
“Lowering the cost of travel allows Filipino families to allocate their money where it matters most.”
3. Why Are We Penalizing Ourselves?
Here’s the frustrating part: We are an outlier. Karamihan ng kapitbahay natin sa ASEAN, nagtanggal na ng similar travel levies. Tayo na lang yata ang naglalagay ng toll gate sa sarili nating citizens.
Rep. Sandro Marcos warned that this policy is actually hurting us:
“Taxation on personal travel and online bookings suppresses demand, dampens tourism growth, and discourages mobility.”
“When travel becomes more expensive, fewer people move, fewer people spend and fewer opportunities circulate through the economy.”
Simple lang ang logic niya:
“A tax that discourages travel also discourages growth. If our neighbors are opening doors and reducing barriers, we should not be holding on to policies that place us at a disadvantage.”
4. Mas Maraming Byahe = Mas Masiglang Ekonomiya
Some might ask, "Sayang naman yung tax revenue, 'di ba?" But Rep. Sandro Marcos argues that removing the tax will actually boost the economy because more people will travel.
“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.”
5. A Smarter Way to Fund Projects
Don’t worry about the tourism and culture projects currently funded by the tax (like TIEZA, CHED, and NCCA). The bill doesn't abandon them.
Instead, Rep. Sandro proposes shifting their funding directly to the General Appropriations Act (the national budget). Why is this better? Because public programs should be funded by the state, not by charging passengers a surprise fee at the airport.
He calls this approach "transparent budgeting":
“Public programs should be sustained through transparent budgeting, not through charges that disproportionately affect travelers. This approach ensures continuity of funding while removing an unnecessary burden on the public.”
Why This is a Win for Travelers
It’s rare to see a bill that immediately makes life easier for the average Pinoy. This isn’t just about saving a few thousand pesos; it’s about modernizing our laws to fit the reality of 2026.
It’s time to say goodbye to the "Airport Aray."
Sandro Marcos Gets It. Period.
House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos is proving that true leadership is about breaking barriers. By pushing to abolish the travel tax, he is opening doors for Filipino families and boosting our local economy.
Hindi lang ito simpleng batas dahil ito ay pagmamalasakit. It’s about giving every Filipino the freedom to move without unnecessary burdens.
This is the kind of forward-thinking governance we deserve.
Tara, sama-sama nating suportahan ang pagbabago!
