Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has joined other lawmakers in pushing for the abolition of the travel tax saying it is an unnecessary burden on Filipinos and ASEAN nationals.

Go has filed Senate Bill No.1849, which also seeks to abolish the travel tax imposed on Filipinos leaving the country and on nationals of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states traveling to other ASEAN destinations.

“The right to travel is guaranteed under Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that such right shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health,” Go said in the explanatory note of the bill.

“As a fundamental principle, the State must ensure that the lawful movement of persons is not burdened by unnecessary restrictions,” he said.

“Despite this constitutional guarantee, the Philippine government imposes a travel tax on Filipinos and certain foreign nationals leaving the country,” he pointed out.

Go noted that the travel tax was originally established under Presidential Decree No. 1183, and later incorporated and amended under Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009.

However, the continued imposition of the travel tax runs counter to the Philippines’ obligations within ASEAN, particularly under the ASEAN Tourism Agreement of 2002 which encourages the progressive removal of travel-related barriers among ASEAN member states to promote tourism, mobility and regional integration.

Under the measure he filed, Go seeks to exclude Filipinos leaving the Philippines, and nationals of ASEAN member states, from the payment of travel tax.

SB No. 1849 also provides a mechanism for a refund in cases where the travel tax had already been paid before the law’s effectivity.

“For flights scheduled immediately after the date of the effectivity of this Act, the collecting authority shall refund any previously paid travel tax to the passenger,” the bill stated.