09/09/2023
08 September 2023
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MANILA, Philippines โ The Bureau of Immigration (BI) celebrates its 83rd anniversary on Friday.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco shared that they have prepared a small celebration to celebrate the agencyโs anniversary and other achievements.
Tansingco, who is also set to celebrate his first year in office later this month, said that he is grateful that the Bureau has come a long way in terms of organizational and system improvements.
โThis could not have been done without the support and efforts of our personnel, who tirelessly perform their duties,โ said Tansingco.
He shared that he understood the plight of BI employees, who continuously face criticism despite their efforts.
Tansingco is the first appointed Commissioner that came from the ranks. He worked at the BI from 2007 to 2017, holding several key posts including Chief of Staff and Technical Assistant of the Office of the Commissioner, and as a lawyer of the BI Board of Special Inquiry.
The BI Chief showcased achievements made by the agency in the past year, including more than 600 arrested illegal aliens, fugitives, and terrorists, exclusion of 2,768 foreigners, and deportation of 1,330 aliens who are ineligible to enter or stay in the country for undesirability or other immigration offences.
The agency also completed the hiring and prometon processes of 455 personnel, and maximized the utilization of its budget to ensure complete utilization of annual programs.
The BI hailed modernization efforts like the introduction of the eTravel, the partnership on the eVisa, the online application and payment system, and online visa extension.
Within the year, Tansingco announced that green lanes for Filipino and foreign frequent travelers, ACR I-Card Holders and Overseas Filipino Workers will be opened in the countryโs ports. Together with the e-Gates, the green lanes, mobile counters, and rapid response teams are set to resolve concerns on congestion.
Tansingco said that for the coming years, modernization will remain a priority of the Bureau. They have endeavored to request for additional budget from the national government to procure much-needed electronic gates to replace 50% of their manual counters.
He shared that the public will soon experience fully automated issuance and extensions of visas and permits, as well as other major immigration services and procedures.
โTama na yung panahon ng luma at mabagal, gusto natin mabilis, maayos, at tapat ang serbisyo na ibibigay natin,โ he stated.
He said that they are also hoping that the BIโs new law will soon replace the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, for the agency to better adapt to modern times.
โWe have achieved so much, and are yet to achieve more. We have been at the receiving end of unfair criticisms, yet we remain undeterred in our drive to protect the abuse of our countryโs borders,โ said Tansingco. โWe will continue to invest in modern infrastructure. Our vision is to become a global exemplar of efficiency and excellence in immigration services,โ he stated.
Bureau of Immigration 
