130k foreigners showed up at BI offices for annual report — Morente

More than 130,000 foreigners showed up at the different offices of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the past two months for their annual report, a number that is significantly lower than last year.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said 130,148 foreign nationals took part in this year’s annual report in compliance with the Alien Registration Act, which directs all foreigners registered with the BI to report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of a calendar year.

By comparison, a total of 169,890 aliens filed their annual report in 2020, the BI said.

“This is not surprising as many of these registered aliens were stranded abroad as a result of worldwide COVID-19 travel restrictions,” Morente said.

Morente, however, said foreigners who failed to comply because they are outside the country may still file their annual report within 30 days upon their return to the Philippines.

The BI earlier warned foreigners who do not comply with reportorial requirements would be penalized, including fines, visa cancellation, deportation, and even imprisonment.

Chinese nationals topped the list of foreigners who reported to the BI, followed by Indians, Americans, Taiwanese, and South Koreans. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News