BI imposes stricter measures on departing Pinoys

The Bureau of Immigration has become stricter in its implementation of existing guidelines to prevent Filipinos with tourist visas from seeking employment abroad and consequently becoming illegal aliens.

Interviewed on “Balitanghali” on Wednesday, BI spokesperson Ma. Angelica Pedro said the measures are based on Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International Bound Passengers issued by the Department of Justice.

“Produkto po [ito] ng isang technical working group kung saan nag-participate ang iba't ibang sektor kagaya ng sektor ng OFWs [overseas Filipino workers] at sektor ng kababaihan,” Pedro said.

Under the guidelines, tourists must prove their financial capability for the trip, present proof of work or support in the Philippines, or submit an affidavit of support if they are visiting relatives overseas, to prevent being offloaded from flights.



Filipinos with legal work visas and overseas employment certificates are required present these documents when leaving the country.

“Kailangan po sana nilang makipag-ugnayan o makipag-tulungan po sa amin para po matulungan po nila kaming mapatunayan na sila po ay may mga lehitimong rason ng pagba-biyahe,” said Pedro.

Citizens with tourist visas are the focus of the stipulations, for most illegal workers come from this demographic.

Pedro said some possible tourist worker profiles include:

• First time travellers who are going to destinations that are not popular among tourists,
• Tourists with no steady source of income in the Philippines and no benefactors

While other red flags exist, the BI clarified that they “assess the totality of (the tourist's) circumstances” to determine the passenger's true intent.

Pedro appealed for understanding from Filipino travelers who may be inconvenienced by the guidelines, saying these are for the protection of citizens against human trafficking.

“Nanawagan po ako sa ating mga kababayan na sana po ay maintindihan po nila yung polisiya o yung guidelines po na ating pinatutupad sa immigration. Kami po ay nandito upang kayo ay tulungan, upang kayo ay protektahan,” she said. — Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News