Filipinos and certain foreign passport holders travelling overseas may now pay the country’s travel tax through the eGovPH Super App.
The travel tax declaration integration into both the government mobile application and the eTravel system was formally launched at a ceremony led by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) on Thursday, 24th July in Pasay City.
TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid signed the memorandum of understanding integrating the travel tax payment into the two systems with information and communications technology secretary Henry Aguda.
The signing was witnessed by Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA) secretary Ernesto Perez and DOT undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano.
In a statement released by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), officials declared: “This centralised, secure, and user-friendly digital platform simplifies the payment process for Filipinos and foreign nationals departing the country, eliminating the need for in-person transactions at airport counters and significantly enhancing the overall passenger experience.”
A necessary integration
The Philippines’ travel tax funds the country’s tourism infrastructure projects through TIEZA, as well as the tourism-related educational programmes of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
This type of tax is imposed on Filipinos, taxable foreign passport holders, and foreigners who have stayed in the Philippines for more than one year.
The full travel tax rates range from PHP1,620 to PHP2,700 for first-class and economy-class passage, respectively.
The eGovPH Super App is a mobile application that serves as a one-stop online shop that integrates front-line government services into a single platform.
The application allows users to make transactions and pay for government services without the need to go to offices.
