ICYDK, You Don’t Need to Pay for Travel Tax When You Depart From Mindanao and Palawan
Planning to head to Indonesia, Malaysia, or Brunei soon?
by Ina Louise Manto | July 21, 2026
Setting and preparing your pre-flight budget is an essential part of traveling, which includes the travel tax for international trips. While Pinoys have been clamoring for its removal, did you know that it is waived when you fly out of Mindanao and Palawan? In case this travel tax exemption is new to you, here’s everything you need to know about it:
What is Memorandum Order 29 and who is eligible for travel tax exemption?
Under Memorandum Order 29, travelers who are departing from all international airports and seaports in Mindanao and Palawan to any destination in the Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) are granted a travel tax exemption.
Meaning, travelers headed to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei don’t have to pay the PHP 1,620 travel tax if they’re departing from Mindanao or Palawan.
Travelers who also have confirmed connecting flights from Mindanao and Palawan to BIMP-EAGA within 24 hours on the same day are also exempt from paying the travel tax, since there are no direct flights available from Mindanao and Palawan to BIMP-EAGA areas yet.
How can I get a travel tax exemption certificate?
A Travel Tax Exemption Certificate may be secured online, through Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). Here are the requirements:
- Filled-out online application form
- 2×2 ID picture taken within the last six months
- Identification page of passport
- Airline ticket or flight booking
You may also refer to the list on the official website for other specific requirements for different individuals.
Tax Exemption Certificates are processed within one day of document submission. TIEZA also reminds applicants to scan the documentary requirements before proceeding with the online application.
Flights from Mindanao
As of writing, there are two international airports in Mindanao: one in Davao and one in General Santos City. These are airlines offering flights to BIMP-EAGA via these international hubs, including connecting flights:
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao)
- Davao to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Cebu Pacific, Scoot, and Philippine Airlines
- Davao to Jakarta, Indonesia via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines
- Davao to Brunei via Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Royal Brunei, and Malaysia Airlines
General Santos International Airport (General Santos City)
- General Santos to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines
- General Santos to Jakarta, Indonesia via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines
- General Santos to Brunei via Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and Royal Brunei
Flights from Palawan
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Palawan to BIMP-EAGA yet. However, those who will have a connecting flight are still exempt from paying the travel tax. For example, you will be flying from Puerto Princesa to Manila and then to Kuala Lumpur; that still makes you travel tax exempt.
Follow Windowseat.ph on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok for more relevant guides and information for better travel and commute experiences!
