BI signs MOA with Korean group

MANILA, Philippines - An agreement aimed at expediting the processing of visas and other immigration documents of Koreans has been signed. The memorandum of agreement (MOA), according to Bureau of Immigration commissioner Marcelino Libanan, was signed by him and the Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (KCCPI) president Jae Jang on Wednesday. The MOA formalized the groups' partnership and cooperation in servicing the immigration requirements of Koreans now doing business or are working in the Philippines. BI statistics showed that more than 700,000 Koreans entered the Philippines either as tourists, expatriates, students, and businessmen in 2007. Under the MOA, the BI and KCCPI agreed to form a joint committee that will meet regularly to discuss issues and concerns affecting Koreans in the Philippines . In it, the BI also agreed to inform the KCCPI about any investigation, arrest and detention of a member of the chamber by the bureau’s operatives and legal officers so that the concerned Korean could be provided with legal assistance. For its part, the KCCPI promised to inform and educate its members, including their spouses and dependents, about Philippine immigration laws and latest regulations, memoranda rules and regulations issued by the BI. This will be done through seminars where BI officials would serve as resource persons. Libanan said the MOA aims to encourage Korean businessmen and tourists entering the country to comply with the country’s immigration laws and regulations and pay their fees. Libanan also said that the accord is the BI’s way of reciprocating the aid and investment in millions of dollars that the Korean government and business community have poured into the country. He also cited Korea government policy of opening its labor market to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), more than 5,000 of whom are employed there, mostly as domestic helpers and factory workers. - GMANews.TV