Travelling is fun; it should be enjoyable and less stressful. Paying travel tax is a real burden on our pocket. Why our country is imposing travel tax on its own countrymen? I don't want to pay P1,620 for each of us, so I find ways on how to avail of discount on our travel tax rates. I checked the website of Department of Tourism, now TIEZA or Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. As stated in PD 1183, the listing is provided for those who are entitled to reduced travel tax rate and exempted from payment of travel tax. Being dependents of an OCW, we are categorized into privileged reduced travel tax. Documents on its original form should be presented for validation including passport, OEC (balik mangagawa form), Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate and e-ticket. Don't bother to photocopy, they will do it for you and it's free of charge. There are travel tax offices in Manila and also in the provinces to serve you better. Take note of the POEA Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), the front desk staff will ask you for the original copy. I gave him the scanned copy showing the stamps, yet he is not satisfied.
I told the representative that how could that be possible to provide such copy where in fact the OCW travels alone by himself and that pertinent document was with him at the time of travel and upon checking in, any traveler are not allowed to go out of the premise. Still he insists that it should be provided. I reasoned out that it was our first time to travel as dependents so I don't know that OEC should be on its original format. He made a lot of side comments, such as "Ma'am, I will allow this for now but next time, you should comply." Then I heard him saying in a minimal tone "next time you'll do the same". I don't want to argue with this nut. I feel great that I have contributed a portion to his salary for the travel tax that I'm paying. Besides, I don't want to suffer from headaches; it will be a long journey for us with two kids travelling with me. I had already processed my children's reduced travel tax in the main office of TIEZA, yet there are no nasty remarks from the officer and she didn't even bother to ask for the original form of OEC. They treated me fairly and courteously like any human being.
I paid P500 each, P300 for travel tax and P200 for processing fee. I was able to save P3,360. What a relief! In 2011, I also applied for standard reduced travel tax for minors between 2 to 12 years of age. A certificate will be issued to the applicant, thus will be presented upon checking in at the airport.
TRAVEL TAX RATES
| First Class Passage | Economy Class Passage | ||
| PHP 2700 | PHP 1620 | |
| PHP 1350 | PHP 810 | |
| PHP 400 | PHP 300 |
A Processing fee of Php 200.00 is collected for each certificate issued.
