Marcos OKs travel tax exemptions from Mindanao, Palawan travelers going to 3 ASEAN nations

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the granting of travel tax exemptions to all travelers departing from international airports and seaports in Mindanao and Palawan and heading to three ASEAN destinations. 

Marcos made the approval through the issuance of Memorandum Order No. 29, which covers travelers going to areas within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

"For reasons of national interest, in order to further sustain and accelerate economic development in Mindanao and Palawan, and as recommended by the House of Representatives pursuant to House Resolution No. 61 dated 21 March 2023, all travelers by air and or sea departing from all international airports and/or seaports in Mindanao and Palawan, and who are bound for any destination in the BIMP-EAGA are hereby exempt from payment of Travel Tax," Marcos said on MO No. 29, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on August 6, 2024.

The exemption shall be effective until June 30, 2028.

Issuing the memorandum aims to sustain and accelerate the economic development in Mindanao and Palawan. 

The said order will also apply to passengers who have confirmed connecting flights from Mindanao and Palawan to BIMP-EAGA within 24 hours on the same day, when no direct flights are available from the passenger’s point of origin. 

The order said the travel tax exemption certificate could be secured from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. —KBK, GMA Integrated News