Visitors to the Bohol Tarsier Permittees Corporation (BTPC) located in Villa Aurora, Bilar, a popular tourist attraction that showcases the world’s smallest primate, will have to pay more starting March 1, 2024.
BTPC has announced on its Facebook page that it will increase its entrance fees for adults, students, and senior citizens by P20 each, citing new regulations from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that affect its operations.
The entrance fee hike means an adult has to cash out P170 before he/she can explore and see the tarsier’s haven in Bilar, Bohol.
According to BTPC, the new BIR regulations require it to pay higher taxes, and the fee adjustment will enable it to meet its tax obligations while continuing to provide an exceptional experience to its guests.
BTPC is one of the few places in the country where visitors can see the endangered Philippine tarsier, a nocturnal animal that measures only about 10 centimeters in length and has large eyes and ears.
BTPC claims to have a 5.90-hectare land where the tarsiers are kept in their natural habitat and protected from poachers and predators.
The corporation’s decision to raise its entrance fees has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
Some netizens expressed their support and understanding, saying that the BTPC is doing a good job in conserving the tarsiers and providing livelihood to the local community.
Others, however, criticized the BTPC for being greedy and insensitive, especially amid the ongoing economic crisis.
BTPC assured its customers that the fee increase was made after careful consideration and that it hopes to welcome them for another memorable experience.
It also reminded them that children under five years old can still enter for free.
BTPC is not the only entity affected by the new BIR regulations.
According to the BIR website, the agency has issued several revenue regulations in 2023 and 2024 that implement various tax reforms and policies, such as the reduction of corporate income tax rates, the removal of the VAT zero-rating certification requirement, and the adoption of the electronic invoicing system.
The BIR said that these regulations are aimed at enhancing tax administration and compliance, improving revenue collection, and supporting the government’s recovery and development programs.