BI chief wages new campaign for Anti-Red Tape law

Former military top brass Ricardo David Jr. vowed Tuesday to wage a new campaign against red tape now that he heads the Bureau of Immigration (BI). David directed all the agency’s division and section chiefs to make Immigration services more efficient by strictly enforcing the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 or Republic Act 9485. “The campaign against red tape applies not only to our main and field offices… Ours is the frontline agency that serves the thousands of travelers that arrive and depart from airports and seaports daily," he said Tuesday. David ordered immigration officers to process and ensure the authenticity of international passengers’ travel documents within three minutes. The new Immigration chief also warned BI employees against conniving with fixers, which is punishable by dismissal from service. He likewise ordered the strict implementation of the “no lunch break" policy among frontline personnel to ensure Immigration services are uninterrupted. A day after he stepped down as the Armed Forces chief when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56, David was appointed this month as immigration chief by President Aquino. His term as military chief was rocked by allegations of corruptions, including "welcome and send off" gifts for top officials of the Armed Forces. – With Andreo Calonzo/VS, GMA News