The Bureau of Immigration (BI) thanked the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for identifying the proposed immigration modernization law as a priority measure.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco also expressed his appreciation to the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) for supporting the passing of the new law by organizing a focus group discussion (FGD) held last April 17 in Manila. Also in attendance were representatives of at least 9 Senators, to reconcile versions to expedite the bill’s approval.
Tansingco shared that he hopes that the bill will be approved on the third reading prior to the President’s State of the Nation Address.
The BI Chief thanked the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate for understanding the plight of the agency in its thrust for the passing of the new law.
“Imagine, our law has been there even before international flights were operating in the Philippines,” said Tansingco. “Many of its provisions are already outdated, and not applicable to modern times,” he added.
The bill is seen as the solution to current BI woes, as it seeks to upgrade the country’s 83-year-old immigration law.
“In behalf of the employees of the BI, we also thank our legislators for ensuring that the use of income for the augmentation of the salaries of employees remain,” said Tansingco. “This would greatly benefit our employees that are stuck with low salaries, and would also allow us to recruit fresh graduates to join the government,” he added.