Philippine Senate plans to abolish departure travel tax before year-end

In August 2026, Philippine Senate President Win Gatchalian confirmed that the Senate plans to abolish the departure travel tax, which has been in place for nearly 50 years, before the end of the year. A report on October 28, 2026 said the Senate still maintains this direction. The tax is one of the funding sources for the Philippine tourism industry, and its abolition may create a tourism funding gap. Current reports show that the abolition remains a plan the Senate intends to advance, and no specific arrangements for passage, effect, or phased implementation have been mentioned.