MANILA – Starting July 25, travelers will no longer pay the Php 200 processing fee for the travel tax exemption, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) said Friday.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, chairman of the TIEZA Board, said that the processing fee would be removed since the department believed that the processing fee was “an additional burden” to travelers.
She said that the move would benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents, balikbayans, and Filipino permanent residents abroad who come and stay in the country for less than one year.
It is also expected to minimize long lines at the TIEZA and travel counters at the airport.
She further said that those exempted from travel tax payments and those entitled to reduced rates should simply present their documents to get the corresponding certificate of exemption or reduced travel tax rate.
The Secretary further said that the department would further review the travel tax system since it was already around 60-years-old.
“We would like to ensure a simplified and streamlined travel tax collection, and that its use shall be properly consistent with tourism development purposes,” Teo said.
In 2015, at least 738,734 passengers had to pay the Php 200 processing fee just to receive a certificate of exemption or entitlement to reduced travel tax rates./PNA/RMA/ANP