Former Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has sought to reorganize and convert the Bureau of Immigration into a commission to institute reforms in the country’s present immigration system.
Belmonte, in filing House Bill 162 otherwise known as the “Philippine Immigration and Registration of Foreign Nationals Act,” stressed the need for Congress to pass a law that will expand the Bureau’s jurisdiction for the domestic and external interests of the Philippines.
“The Bureau of Immigration should be clothed with a renewed mandate to deliver world-class immigration services that will promote the country’s image in the international community as a safe tourist destination and a potential investment site,” said Belmonte.
Under the bill, the Commission shall be administered by the Board of Commissioners headed by the commissioner as chairperson and four deputy commissioners as members and shall all be appointed by the president.
The bill provides that the Board of Commissioners shall have the power to deport, revoke immigration status, recognize Philippine citizenship by birth or marriage, issue and revoke all visas, declare indigency and legalize residence in accordance with law.
The measure states appointed deputy commissioners shall be assigned by the commissioner to supervise relative to the operations of the different divisions in terms of regulation, border control, enforcement and management support.
Immigration officers shall have the power to exclude foreign nationals that are not properly documented, search for foreign nationals on any vessel believed to be used to illegally bringing foreign nationals into the Philippines, the bill states.
They can also act as control officers with authority to prevent the exit of passengers not complying with departure requirements, it adds.
Moreover, the Commission shall have field offices in each of the administrative regions including the National Capital Region.
Belmonte, in his measure, also touched on more detailed grounds for deportation in the proposed law that will uphold the principle of sovereignty and the rule of law.
He said all foreign nationals shall be required to register with the Commission or any Immigration Office supplemented by a certificate of registration of the individual.
Belmonte’s bill provides that penalties shall also be imposed on any person who violates any of the provisions of the Act, which shall depend on the nature of the violation.
“Aside from law enforcement, the impact of globalization on immigration can be felt in our economy, as evidenced by the influx of foreigners coming to the Philippines for business, pleasure or employment,” said Belmonte.
Visa classification to non-immigrants shall be more extensive and reorganized depending on the purpose of the visit and shall be exclusively issued and renewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Immigrants, on the other hand, may be admitted into the Philippines but shall not exceed two hundred for each nationality based on immigration reciprocity for one calendar year.
“With these expanded jurisdictions, it can help eliminate red tape and enhance efficiency and efficacy in the bureaucracy, taking into account the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and the right to self-determination,” Belmonte added.