Actress sparks debate as proposed border security fee adds to mounting costs for Filipino international travelers.
Actress and content creator Sharlene San Pedro sparked online discussion after questioning a proposed border security fee for international travelers during a recent livestream.
Reacting to reports, she candidly said, “Ang dami n’yo pinapabayaran sa ’min!”—a remark that quickly resonated with netizens, especially frequent flyers already juggling multiple travel costs.
The comment comes as the Bureau of Immigration considers imposing a $4 fee (around ₱240) per international arrival and departure, or ₱480 for a roundtrip. The agency says the funds will go toward a modernized border security system, including biometrics, automated gates, and risk-assessment tools.
If approved, the fee would be charged on top of the country’s existing travel tax, currently set at ₱1,620 for most passengers.
Individually, the fees may seem minimal, but combined, they make international travel significantly more expensive for ordinary Filipinos, OFWs, students, and families reconnecting across borders.
While many echoed Sharlene’s frustration, others pointed to the long-term benefits of improved security and efficiency. The debate has since sparked a broader conversation on balancing better public services with the added costs passed on to travelers.
For now, the proposal remains under scrutiny, with many watching closely if it will push through. In a previous article, radar.PH called for the scrapping of the proposed fee and the abolition of the country’s outdated travel tax.
READ:
Travel tax is a Filipino invention that must be abolished
Mianne Cudal
January 14, 2026
Green GSM passengers flag a sudden “booking fee”
John Lloyd Aleta
April 17, 2026
Slight relief on fuel surcharges, but flights remain expensive for many travelers
Kiara Gorrospe
April 28, 2026
