FOR an additional P2.63 billion—one of the biggest budget increases among agencies for next year—the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it would process incoming and outgoing travelers “within 45 seconds,” but “will new rules prevent this?” asked Deputy House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto on Sunday. In a statement, Recto said…
FOR an additional P2.63 billion—one of the biggest budget increases among agencies for next year—the Bureau of Immigration said it would process incoming and outgoing travelers “within 45 seconds,” but “will new rules prevent this?” asked Deputy House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto on Sunday.
“That’s their promissory note to taxpayers: Increase our budget to P4.25 billion, and almost all passengers will be gone in 45 seconds,” he said. Recto is also wondering how the new government rules that will take effect on September 2, which require Filipinos traveling overseas to be ready to present more documentary requirements, would impact the BI’s “gone in 45 seconds rule.”
He described Ninoy Aquino International Airport as a “profit center” for all government offices operating there. “The more stringent rules will unduly interfere with the Filipinos’ right to travel,” Rodriguez, a former immigration commissioner, said.