Manila, Feb. 11 -- The proposed abolition of the travel tax is both an economic reform and a compliance to an agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Senator Joel Villanueva said Wednesday.

"With millions of Filipinos traveling abroad every year, this fee adds significant cost. The time is ripe to remove an outdated burden," he said.

He underscored the Philippines' obligations under the ASEAN Tourism Agreement, which calls for the gradual removal of travel levies among member states .

"By maintaining the travel tax, the Philippines is failing to fully comply with the agreement," Villanueva said, noting that regional integration requires policies that ease, not restrict movement.

Villanueva said the inclusion...