Bill filed to exempt OFW dependents from travel tax

A BILL exempting the dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers from paying travel tax has been filed at the House of Representatives.

House Bill 8196, introduced by Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado, will cover dependents of either married or solo parents working overseas.

Passengers leaving the country are charged P1,620 travel tax for economy and business class seats, regardless of the place where the air ticket was issued, as provided in Presidential Decree 1183. The rate increases to P2,700 for first class tickets.

At present, migrant workers are exempted from paying travel tax, documentary stamp tax and airport fees.

If enacted, the bill will change Section 35 of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, as amended, by including in the exemption the dependents of OFWs.

Mr. Sy-Alvarado filed the measure in consideration of the economic contributions of OFWs.

“The total remittances of our beloved overseas workers amount to billions of dollars which in return contributes to a positive impact on the country’s earnings and foreign exchange rate,” he said in the explanatory note.

The bill intends to “alleviate their sacrifices to their respective families and recognize their valuable role,” he added.

The proposed bill is pending at the House Committee on Overseas Affairs with a related measure House Bill 6138, authored by Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon D. Alvarez and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas. —