Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is asking for a new revenue source should travel tax be abolished, following the approval of a bill for this by the House Committee on Tourism. According to CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) will lose 85.6 percent of its annual revenue given how 40 percent of travel tax goes to CHED based on the Tourism Act of 2009. “Travel tax has approved– as approved by the Committee on Tourism, and we are left with a prayer for the replacement of the revenue source. CHED x HEDF will lose, because CHED x HEDF will lose 85.6 percent of its funding, which comes from the 40 percent of the travel tax. That is a structural loss that directly affects scholarships, research, institutional upgrading, and tourism education programs nationwide,” Agrupis told lawmakers during a House Committee on Ways and Means meeting on Wednesday. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/2/23/house-panel-oks-bill-scrapping-travel-tax-1538">House panel OKs bill scrapping travel tax</a></div>From 1995 to 2025, travel tax contribution to the HEDF for scholarship programs and academic program development, among others, was approximately P24.1 billion, Agrupis said. Agrupis also clarified they are not against abolishing travel tax, but they hope for a substitute source of funding. <div>CHED’s proposed alternatives listed under its presentation during the hearing include:</div>-- Additional 4 or a total of 5 percent from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-- Mandatory contribution of at least 5 percent of the unimpaired surplus from Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) or Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) or automatic share appropriation from the dividend remitted to the national government-- Percentage share from GOCC or Gaming Revenue Share (earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation [PAGCOR])-- Percentage from the Special Education Fund (SEF)-- RA 7160-- Percentage share from new taxes (e.g. Digital Revenue Taxes, Telecommunications)-- Percentage share from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of private enterprise<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/29/dot-travel-tax-supports-tourism-infrastructure-education-0100">DOT: Travel tax supports tourism infrastructure, education</a></div>House Committee on Ways and Means Chairperson Miro Quimbo stressed he believes programs funded by travel tax are important, but the chief executive is saying the source of funding for these initiatives should change. “This is not at all to say that the programs being funded are irrelevant, immaterial, or does not bring any development to our country. Hindi po. Baliktad po. Importanteng importante ito, pero sinasabi lang ng pangulo na hindi na natin kukunin ito sa mga nagbibiyahe nating mga kababayan because in the end there is a better or bigger benefit when we allow these individuals to travel more freely,” Quimbo said. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously said he hopes the bill to abolish travel tax would be prioritized by lawmakers.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is asking for a new revenue source should travel tax be abolished following the approval of a bill for this by the House Committee on Tourism.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is asking for a new revenue source should travel tax be abolished following the approval of a bill for this by the House Committee on Tourism.

CHED asks for other funding source should travel tax be abolished

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

CHED asks for other funding source should travel tax be abolished

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 04, 2026 10:18 PM PHT

Read More:

CHED

House of Representatives

Scholarship

Travel tax

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.