BI: Updating 85-year-old immigration law crucial in safeguarding PH borders

The Bureau of Immigration on Monday thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the country’s lawmakers for including the modernization of the BI in their legislative priorities, adding that this is a crucial step towards strengthening their capacity in protecting the country’s borders.

This was after the BI Modernization Bill – which seeks to update the 1940 Philippine Immigration Act – was identified as one of the 44 priority bills under the Common Legislative Agenda of the 20th Congress.

The decision to include the BI’s modernization was made during the Sept. 30 meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

In a statement, BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Congress and the President.

“We deeply appreciate the support of many lawmakers who recognize the importance of updating our 85-year-old immigration law. Their acknowledgment of this urgent need is a major step forward in modernizing the BI,” Viado said.

He added that modernizing the BI is “essential to upgrading frontline services, enhancing national security, and streamlining the safe and efficient movement of people across the country’s borders.”

Viado expressed optimism that the BI Modernization Bill will be soon passed into law and that it will “strengthen our capacity to safeguard the nation and deliver efficient services.”

“Through this, we are fully committed to advancing the President’s vision of Bagong Pilipinas by delivering immigration services that are modern, transparent, and responsive.  This is a major leap towards the Bagong Immigration we envision,” he added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News