(POLITIKO) Senator Jinggoy Estrada is pushing for travel tax perks for Filipino senior citizens so they explore the world with a smile and extra cash in their pockets.
Estrada has proposed a bill seeking to slash 20 percent off the travel tax for senior travelers. With reduced travel taxes, seniors can direct their savings towards other essential expenses, according to Estrada.
Senate Bill No. 2379 aims to level up the leisure rights of the country’s senior citizens by amending Republic Act No. 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act.
“Para sa mga kagaya ko na senior citizen na at nais na makapag-travel sa iba’t ibang lugar, maging sa ibang bansa, malaking bagay kung may diskwento sa mga gastusin nila lalong lalo na sa mga binabayarang buwis,” Estrada said.
“Para sa mga ordinaryong senior citizens, ang matitipid nila ay maaari nilang ipangtustos sa iba pa nilang mga bayarin,” he said.
Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, officially became a senior citizen when he turned 60 on February 17.
In filing the bill, Estrada knows the financial struggle for retirees or the seniors living on fixed incomes. The proposed reduction in travel tax is designed to make their dreams of jet-setting here and abroad more accessible and enjoyable.
According to Estrada, the bill will hopefully encourage the elderly to explore new places, embrace different cultures, and enhance their quality of life.
“Kung maisasabatas ito, hindi lang 20 percent at VAT exemptions sa room accommodations, discounts sa restaurants ang mapapakinabangan nila sa pagliliwaliw nila sa iba’t ibang sulok ng bansa,” he said.