Days before the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) address of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on July 22, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) shared some of its own accomplishments over the past year as it reaffirmed its support of the President's "Bagong Pilipinas" initiative.
In a statement issued July 19, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the Marcos administration's support towards the BI initiatives meant that its own vision of "Bagong Immigration" is now "within reach."
“We are paving the way for a new beginning for the Bureau of Immigration,” the BI chief added.
He added that a massive overhaul of the agency has been started to set the path to a better BI.
Statistics
In 2023, the agency documented a 118-percent increase in immigration processing of travelers, totaling 26,055,748 compared to 11,977,668 in 2022.
This includes a 151-percent spike in tourist arrivals, and a 79-percent surge in the number of flights served, driven by revenge travel.
The BI has also made significant strides in border management and security.
The implementation of advanced immigration control systems has resulted in the exclusion of 3,359 undesirable aliens in 2023, an increase from 2,768 in 2022.
The agency's efforts have also been instrumental in maintaining the Philippines' Tier 1 status in the United States' Trafficking in Persons Report, reflecting its serious and sustained efforts to combat human trafficking.
For the previous year, the BI has endorsed 726 trafficking cases to the inter-agency council against trafficking.
The BI has likewise launched its intensified drive against sexual predators through its #Shieldkids campaign. The campaign harmonizes government efforts against sex offenders in the country by institutionalizing a network of communication amongst government agencies involved in investigating and arresting pedophiles and traffickers.
As part of the campaign, the BI has opened up the Commissioner's helpline via Facebook.com/immigration.helpline.ph , and has partnered with the Council for the Welfare of Children’s Makabata Helpline 1383, encouraging concerned citizens to report potential cases of child exploitation and abuse involving foreign nationals.
In 2023 alone, the BI excluded 171 foreign nationals who were previously convicted of sex crimes, or are wanted for such cases. In total, the BI arrested 3,549, and deported 2,717 illegal aliens in 2023.
Modernization efforts
Automation and modernization of immigration services have been key priorities for the BI. The full implementation of the Integrated eTravel System in November 2023 marked a significant milestone, replacing paper-based arrival and departure cards with a digital system.
Beginning April 2024, the BI kickstarted the label-free processing of arriving passengers via electronic gates. Passengers now receive an electronic confirmation of their travel via their emails. This project is set to be expanded as the Bureau procures more electronic gates for installation in major international airports.
The BI's online portal, e-services.immigration.gov.ph , launched in July 2023, further streamlines various immigration transactions, making them more accessible and efficient for the public, consistent with the directive of the President to ensure seamless and secure delivery of government services to the public.
Tansingco believes that automating services of the Bureau will eliminate opportunities for corruption and allow the BI to provide better public service.
The BI has also introduced a secure portal for the online application of special study permit and student visas. It has also streamlined visa requirements to make the Philippines more attractive to foreign students.
Most recently, BI along with the Department of Tourism (DOT) introduced the cruise visa waiver, which allows seamless immigration processing for cruise tourists, to further support the Department of Tourism’s drive to enhance the Philippines’ position as a top cruise destination.
Other services made online are the BI’s annual report, emigration clearance certificate, dual citizenship, school registration, and waiver of exclusion grounds.
The BI also maintained and expanded its ISO 9001:2015 certification, ensuring that its services meet international standards, and has initiated data sharing agreements with the Australian government, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Department of Labor and Employment to facilitate ease in verification.
To enhance accessibility, the BI has opened new field and satellite offices across the country, including in key tourist destinations like Siargao, Camiguin, and Pagadian.
The agency is also preparing to relocate to a new, state-of-the-art main office building in Pasay City, in September 2024.
“There’s more to come. This is just the start of a new beginning for the Bureau of Immigration. Sa pagdating ng Bagong Pilipinas, makakaasa tayo na mayroon ding Bagong Immigration, na handing magbigay ng mas mabilis, mas maayos, at mas tapat na serbisyo sa ating bayan,” Tansingco stressed.
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