Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that they are planning to open up more new offices in key areas of the Philippines in 2024.
The BI Chief shared that in 2023, BI transferred many of its operations to malls and other areas that are more accessible to the public.
The BI’s offices in Cebu, Surigao, Las Pinas, Olongapo, and Nueva Ecija have transferred to bigger locations, while their Camiguin Field Office started its operations at the Provincial Capitol Building in Pandan Mambajao.
The BI’s physical annual report in Metro Manila has also been transferred from the BI’s head office to the 3rd Level Center Atrium of Robinsons Manila and the Government Service Express (GSE) Unit of SM Mall of Asia from Mondays to Fridays, excluding holidays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Tansingco said that they are eyeing new offices in Siargao, Pagadian, Sorsogon, Davao del Sur, and other popular tourist destinations as well as the transfer of more offices to better locations.
“We are particularly looking at transferring many of our operations to malls, to make things more convenient for the transacting public,” said Tansingco. “We want to give quality and comfortable public service,” he added.
Apart from opening new offices, the BI shared that many of its services, including visa extensions are now available online.
“We are bringing our services closer to the general public to facilitate compliance with immigration policies,” he stated. “With these developments, there will no more excuse not to comply with immigration requirements,” he said.
