Bicam OKs bill modernizing Bureau of Immigration
02/02/2010 | 03:17 PM
The modernization and strengthening of the Bureau of Immigration moved a step closer to becoming a reality after a bicameral conference committee reconciled the Senate's and House of Representatives' versions of a bill for it.
Senator Francis Escudero, head of the Senate panel, said he expects the bicameral report to be presented to the plenary of both houses of Congress on Wednesday for ratification.
"Sana ma-modernize na nang tuluyang nito [proposed Philippine Immigration Act of 2010] at hindi tulad ngayon na panahon pa ng Commonwealth government ang batas na umiiral kaugnay na ito (I hope the modernization of the Bureau of Immigration will push through)," he said.
The law creating the Bureau of Immigration was enacted in 1940 and was signed by then US President Franklin Roosevelt, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said in a separate interview.
"This is the first time that we are able to revise or amend this law... What is important is we will have an Immigration law which is attuned with the needs of the times lalo sa ngayong panahon na (especially with) globalization, transnational crimes, human trafficking, maraming ganitong (there are a lot of these) concerns," he said.
One of the salient provisions of the bill is the implementation of policies and procedures that would make it easier for foreigners to visit or do business in the country.
The bill also seeks to empower BI to help spur the economic development as it would attract foreign businessmen to pour in needed investments in the country. - Amita Legaspi/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV
Senator Francis Escudero, head of the Senate panel, said he expects the bicameral report to be presented to the plenary of both houses of Congress on Wednesday for ratification.
"Sana ma-modernize na nang tuluyang nito [proposed Philippine Immigration Act of 2010] at hindi tulad ngayon na panahon pa ng Commonwealth government ang batas na umiiral kaugnay na ito (I hope the modernization of the Bureau of Immigration will push through)," he said.
The law creating the Bureau of Immigration was enacted in 1940 and was signed by then US President Franklin Roosevelt, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said in a separate interview.
"This is the first time that we are able to revise or amend this law... What is important is we will have an Immigration law which is attuned with the needs of the times lalo sa ngayong panahon na (especially with) globalization, transnational crimes, human trafficking, maraming ganitong (there are a lot of these) concerns," he said.
One of the salient provisions of the bill is the implementation of policies and procedures that would make it easier for foreigners to visit or do business in the country.
The bill also seeks to empower BI to help spur the economic development as it would attract foreign businessmen to pour in needed investments in the country. - Amita Legaspi/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV
