BI: Proposed security modernization fee still under review

The Bureau of Immigration's (BI) proposed Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) Project, aimed at modernizing airport security systems is still under review, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said Tuesday.

The clarification came after reports circulated claiming the agency would start collecting a P480 fee from travelers.

“Hindi natin dapat biglain ang publiko sa mga panukalang may dagdag na epekto sa kanilang gastusin. Mahalaga ang seguridad ng ating borders, pero mahalaga ring maramdaman ng taumbayan na pinapakinggan at isinasaalang-alang ang kanilang kalagayan,” Viado said in a statement.

(We should not rush the public into accepting proposals that could increase their expenses. While securing our borders is important, it is equally important for the people to feel that their concerns and circumstances are being heard and taken into consideration.)

The BI reiterated that the CAISS project is a proposed public-private partnership initiative that seeks to improve immigration operations through advanced “biometric systems, real-time risk assessment, data integration, and automated border control technologies.”

The BI chief said it has already directed a comprehensive review and stakeholder consultation process regarding the proposed user fee component of the CAISS, amounting to $4 or around P247.

Viado said the review will assess the necessity and justification of the proposed user fee, its benefits to travelers, improvements in passenger processing, and safeguards for data privacy, cybersecurity, transparency, and accountability.

During a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Malacañang said the President does not yet have a position on the matter and advised the public not to be alarmed by the project, as it remains only a proposal for now. —VAL, GMA News