Saturday, August 10, 2024 MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has authorized a travel tax exemption for all individuals departing from any international airport or seaport in Mindanao and Palawan, provided their destination falls within the East ASEAN Growth Area, which includes Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
This exemption, outlined in Memorandum Order (MO) 29, was signed by President Marcos on August 6 and announced in the Manila Bulletin on Friday. The exemption takes immediate effect and will remain valid until June 30, 2028, unless it is revoked earlier. Eligible travelers must have confirmed connecting flights from Mindanao and Palawan to the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) within 24 hours on the same day to qualify for the exemption.
Eligible travelers can obtain the travel tax exemption from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. This initiative is designed to bolster and expedite economic growth in Mindanao and Palawan by making these regions more attractive to both domestic and international investors. By easing travel costs, the government aims to encourage greater utilization of the Philippine routes within the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA), positioning these locations as strategic hubs for connectivity and investment.
The travel tax exemption is part of a broader effort to stimulate economic development and enhance the appeal of Mindanao and Palawan as viable entry points.