TIEZA, GCash launch digital refunds for travel tax

MANILA — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has partnered with G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), the operator of GCash, to streamline and digitize the travel tax refund process for Filipino travelers.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Makati City, TIEZA will now use the GCash Funds Disbursement Service (FDS) to enable real-time crediting of approved travel tax refunds directly into travelers’ GCash wallets.

This initiative supports Executive Order No. 170, which mandates the adoption of digital payment systems in government, and Republic Act No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, which empowers TIEZA to implement efficient systems for travel tax collection and refund.

The integration allows approved passengers to receive their refunds instantly and securely—without the need for physical claims or bank processing delays.

The service is provided free of charge to both TIEZA and its clients.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to building tourism together by elevating the quality and efficiency of every touchpoint in the Filipino travel experience,” said TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid.

“By integrating sophisticated digital solutions like GCash, we are not simply streamlining the refund process—we are advancing transparency, reinforcing institutional accountability, and setting a higher benchmark for how government and industry can collaborate to meet the expectations of today’s discerning travelers,” he added.

GCash, through G-Xchange, will provide the secure digital infrastructure behind the disbursement system.

It features prefunding and reconciliation mechanisms to ensure public funds are safeguarded throughout the process.

Cleo Celeste C. Santos, Vice President and Head of GCash Public Sector, said the partnership enhances the digital transformation of government services.

“We are proud to support TIEZA in digitizing one of the most important touchpoints for travelers. Real-time refunds through GCash deliver unmatched convenience, speed, and reliability—empowering passengers with a truly modern and frictionless experience,” Santos said.

She added: “This collaboration reinforces the mission of GCash to make digital financial services easily accessible for every Filipino. By embedding secure, seamless payouts into TIEZA’s processes, we are helping advance a more inclusive, responsive, and future-ready government service ecosystem.”

As both international and domestic travel volumes continue to grow, the TIEZA–GCash partnership aims to ensure government services evolve with traveler needs—promoting efficiency, innovation, and good governance in the tourism sector.

For more information, visit https://tieza.gov.ph or follow @TIEZAOfficial on Facebook and @tiezagovph on Instagram and X.