Philippines Departure Tax - Good and Bad News

Here is the new advice given by the UK government regarding Departure Tax...

Departure tax
If you’re leaving the country from Cebu Mactan airport you must pay a departure tax of 750 pesos in local currency or the equivalent in US dollars. From 1 February, there’s no longer a departure tax at Manila airport. This information is subject to change and you should check with local authorities before you travel.

The advice is not entirely accurate. The "tax" you refer to is actually called "Terminal Fee" and the rate currently payable at Mactan is 500 Pesos for domestic flights and 750 for international. But the Government passed laws last year requiring the airlines and airport authorities to include Terminal Fees and Travel Tax in the total paid for the ticket as from 1st February this year. Terminal fees should no longer be payable at any airport in the country.

Text made bold by me.
Anybody flying out of Phils soon to see if this has been implemented?

This is most certainly a good idea, makes things a lot easier and more efficient for passengers.

Interestingly I heard last year that the Indonesian national carrier, Garuda, which previously included airport "tax" in the ticket price has reportedly stopped doing so, due to a crap interface between different computer systems.

And if you do have to pay anything, don't forget to keep the receipt to hand.

Not hard to do at Mactan as you only have to walk 5 paces from payment to the person who checks you've paid . Never quite understood that but I suppose it keeps someone in a job

Indeed, don't hold your breath.

AS you may know, OFWs are exempt from departure tax. So the plan is that they can collect a refund at the airport when they present their ticket.

Nancy Binay has filed an objection...

Integration of the Terminal Fee into tickets for domestic flights has been in effect for at least 9 months, certainly those starting at Manila and Davao.

I paid 550 pesos to leave on 08/02/15 from Ninoy. Appears to be getting inflated .....and forgot my hat at the atm. Will be dearly missed, my beloved hat :-(

Don't worry, I'm sure there is an airport official who will be sporting it for you now

Paid 550php when I left terminal 3 on 13th Jan. We will be leaving the phils for the UK on 20th February so I'll let you know

Was travelling in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from July-September, NAIA (Manila) and Mactan Airport (Cebu) do not collect terminal fees anymore. However, General Santos (Mindanao) Airport still collect P100 terminal fee.

Thanks Anne.

I wonder if it will be for international departures from Mactan also?

Can confirm there is a 550php / person at T3 for international departures.

Didn't look to be honest