logo
Senate bill eyes abolition of travel tax

Senate bill eyes abolition of travel tax

GMA Network4 days ago
A bill filed in the Senate is seeking to abolish the travel tax which has been described as "outdated" by the author.
'It is high time to give travelers a break and allow for tourism to flourish by removing one of the barriers to travel," said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who authored Senate Bill No. 424.
The travel tax, imposed under Presidential Decree No. 1183, was signed nearly five decades ago. Cayetano said that this no longer aligns with current economic and regional goals.
'All Filipinos, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities, must be able to travel freely, without any form of hindrance... By abolishing the travel tax, we inch closer towards realizing the freedom of movement that our fundamental law envisions for every citizen,' said Cayetano.
Cayetano cited studies explaining that while the government may lose P4 billion in revenue as a result of the measure, the country's economy would earn around P299 billion through increased tourism and spending.
He is also proposing exempting ASEAN nationals from the travel tax, fulfilling the Philippines' commitment under the ASEAN Tourism Agreement of 2002, which calls for the phasing out of travel levies among member states. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Grab, MOVE IT launch disaster relief initiative for drivers, delivery partners
Grab, MOVE IT launch disaster relief initiative for drivers, delivery partners

GMA Network

time31 minutes ago

  • GMA Network

Grab, MOVE IT launch disaster relief initiative for drivers, delivery partners

Transport service providers Grab Philippines and MOVE IT on Wednesday launched a comprehensive disaster relief and community support initiative amid the onslaught of Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. The initiative spans immediate aid and longer-term recovery support for Grab's drivers, delivery partners, merchants, and consumers. This will be rolled out in close coordination with local government units and national agencies. In a press release, Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda said, ''Our hearts go out to the communities hardest hit by this week's inclement weather. At Grab, we believe our role as a platform goes beyond connecting services—it means showing up when it matters most.' 'We are fully mobilized to support our partners and the broader public in this time of need. Through targeted financial assistance, medical support, and relief coordination, we aim to help affected Filipinos recover safely and swiftly,' Roda added. Grab and MOVE IT have also reactivated their GrabCare and MOVE IT Malasakit programs to extend financial and welfare support to those affected by the bad weather. The assistance includes: Calamity Assistance: A one-time financial grant provided to eligible partners whose vehicles—cars or motorcycles—have been damaged as a direct result of the typhoon and severe flooding; Medical and Hospitalization Support: In partnership with Cocolife, Grab is covering emergency room and hospitalization expenses due to typhoon-related incidents at accredited hospitals; and Loan Repayment Holiday: A temporary moratorium on microloan repayments for qualified drivers operating in Metro Manila, Baguio, and Pampanga, providing immediate financial relief in heavily affected urban areas. Grab also started its coordination with various localities for upcoming relief operations and clean-up drives. It also continued monitoring of on-ground conditions to evolve response and recovery programs based on emerging needs. Moreover, Grab reactivated its GrabBayanihan program — a GrabRewards redemption initiative that enables users to convert their points into donation vouchers supporting McDonald's Kindness Kitchen and World Vision. To recall, Grab also donated rubber boats and hot meals to the locality of Marikina City, an area that is severely affected by bad weather. —VAL, GMA Integrated News

19% vs. 0%? Lawmakers question new PH-US tariff deal
19% vs. 0%? Lawmakers question new PH-US tariff deal

GMA Network

time2 hours ago

  • GMA Network

19% vs. 0%? Lawmakers question new PH-US tariff deal

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. meets with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 22, 2025. REUTERS/ Kent Nishimura Lawmakers on Wednesday raised concerns on the new Philippines-United States trade deal, which imposes a 19% tariff on Philippine products entering the US against zero tariffs for at least some American exports to the Philippines. 'We ask Malacañang to make public this new trade deal with the US so we can scrutinize its possible impact on the local economy. We are interested to know what US agricultural products, if any, will be covered by zero tariffs and how this may impact on our local farmers,' Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan said. The deal was announced by US President Donald Trump during President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s visit to the White House early Wednesday Philippine time. The new agreement reduces the earlier announced tariff for the Philippines of 20% by one percent. Marcos, who called the deal a "significant achievement," stressed that not all US goods will enjoy zero tariffs. Other senators said the 19-0 disparity is too huge of a margin to be considered fair. '19% vs. 0% tariffs is definitely not the most fair deal between decades-old friends or allies like the United States and the Philippines. If I may add, it is the worst insult that a host can throw at his guest. It is time for us to look for other trade partners,' Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said. 'Sobra ata tayong dehado. Akala ko ba 'little brown bro' ang turing sa atin ng mga Amerikano? Bakit tila lagi tayong naiisahan sa mga ganitong usapan? Sana ay gawing patas man lang kung tunay na kakampi ang tingin sa atin,' Senator JV Ejercito said. (We are too much at a disadvantage. I thought the Americans looked on us as their 'little brown bros'? Why does it seem we are always on the losing end in matters like this? They should at least make it even if they truly see us as an ally.) Senator Imee Marcos said the deal cannot be considered a win. 'I have yet to see the final agreement. However, a mere 1% reduction in tariff rates for Philippine goods while having zero tariffs for US goods certainly does not look like a win for the Philippines,' she said. Kabataan party-list Representative Renee Co, a lawyer, also said that flooding the country with American goods will not stir national development. 'The country is already deep in foreign debt, and now, we will be flooded with American goods because our President agreed to it. The government fails to strengthen our local industries because we just allow American goods to capture the lion's share of our market,' Co said. Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III gave the deal a good review. 'It carries direct benefits for our country,' he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News

Romualdez: Free college law should include stipend, address dropouts
Romualdez: Free college law should include stipend, address dropouts

GMA Network

time3 hours ago

  • GMA Network

Romualdez: Free college law should include stipend, address dropouts

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act should be expanded to reduce, if not eradicate college dropouts, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez on Wednesday. In a statement, Romualdez said that according to the latest report of Second Congressional Commission on Education, nearly four in 10 students still drop out despite the passage of the Free College Law. 'Free tuition was a landmark achievement, but the work is far from over. Nearly four out of 10 students in state universities and colleges are still dropping out. In some regions, the situation is even more alarming,' he said. 'These are not just statistics. They are shattered dreams and interrupted futures, often because students cannot afford transportation, food, rent, books or internet. We need to protect and build on the gains of the Free Higher Education Law by ensuring students have the means to actually finish school,' Romualdez added. He said the government must consider strategic interventions such as monthly stipends, transport subsidies, food allowances and digital access programs. 'These [additional support] are gaps we must urgently fill if we truly want free higher education to be a ladder out of poverty,' Romualdez said. Based on a Pulse Asia survey conducted in January 2024 and commissioned by Senate Committee on Basic Education chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian, 8 percent of Filipinos support free tuition in state-run colleges and universities. Romualdez then said the expansion of the Free College law should start with the review of the measure as provided under House Resolution 61 filed by Bicol Saro party-list Representative Terry Ridon. 'We owe it to our students to fund this law properly. We owe it to every Filipino family to give their children a real chance at a better future, and we owe it to the nation to make education a powerful equalizer, not an unfinished promise,' Romualdez said. — BM, GMA Integrated News

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store