‘Remove travel tax for economy class passengers’

MANILA, Philippines — Invoking the constitutional right to travel, Sen. Raffy Tulfo is pushing for a bill that will remove the travel tax imposed on passengers flying economy class.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, said imposing additional costs on economy class passengers who are traveling on a budget is a violation of their right.

“Passengers in first and business class will still pay the so-called luxury tax,” he said.

Tulfo said he would file the bill this week.

Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution recognizes the people’s right to travel, according to Tulfo.

“This right to travel shall not be impaired, except in the interest of national security, public safety or health, as may be provided by law,” he said.

The measure seeks to repeal Presidential Decree 1183 issued in 1977, which imposes travel tax on passengers.

Overseas Filipino workers, infants as well as government officials on official travel are exempted from paying travel tax.