BI chief Tansingco eyeing modernization, updated law on immigration — spox

Newly installed Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco would prioritize modernization and improvement of immigration law, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Tuesday.

At a public briefing, Sandoval said the modernization of the BI system aims to make the application process easier and encourage foreigners to obtain proper documents.

“Upon assumption po ni Commissioner Tansingco nitong nakaraang linggo, agad po niyang nilatag ang kanyang priorities para sa BI. Modernization po ang ang nakikita niya as top priority for the bureau para po makahabol po tayo sa mga kapitbahay natin,” he said.

(Upon the assumption of Commissioner Tansingco last week, he immediately presented his priorities for BI. He sees modernization as top priority for the bureau to catch up with neighboring countries.)

Sandoval said modernization covers electronic gate systems (e-gates), online visa extensions, and interoperability among concerned government agencies.

According to her, modernization would also address the supposed practices of corruption and red tape in the bureau.

“Nakikita rin po niya na yung ating batas ay dapat na rin pong i-improve dahil nais na po niyang ma-update at ma-modernize na po ito,” Sandoval said.

(Tansingco also sees that our law should be improved because he wants to update and modernize this.)

She said the Philippine immigration law is already around 80 years old.

Meanwhile, Sandoval said the BI is also eyeing increasing the salary of its personnel so that they have no more excuse in engaging in illegal activities.

According to Sandoval, the BI proposed around P1.6 billion budget for 2023 for the modernization of equipment and augmentation of pay for personnel.

Several bills seeking to modernize the BI have already been filed in the Congress. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News