The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has passed a new Tarrif and Customs law effective 1st May to mee the new quota for the income of the airport which is Php 1,000,000/- per day. According to an article from the Manila Bulletin sometime in April, anyone arriving into Manila will be stringently checked to ensure that taxes can be charged onto incoming products brought home by either "balikbayans" or tourists. The new code includes clothing, jewellery and personal effects, electronics, etc...practically everything that you bring will be subject to tax. The alarming thing is why the need to reach a quota, even why set a quota at all? As if sending money home each month isn't enough, Filipinos going home will have to shell out dosh as soon as they land on the homeland's airport.
Somehow the cost of going home each year (or bi-annually) is getting steeper and steeper. Perhaps some if not more will soon opt not to go home at all. Sadly we are losing so many of our very own because of money-making schemes like this.
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