BI to cut red tape on aliens’ I-Cards for good

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo A. David Jr. vowed to eliminate red tape in the processing of alien certificate of registration identity cards (ACR-I-Cards) after complaints flooded the Bureau of Immigration (BI) over delays in the issuance of I-cards. ACR-I-Cards are microchip-based identification cards with biometric security features issued by the BI to registered aliens. An ACR-I-Card serves as proof of a foreigner’s status as a legal resident in the Philippines. David, who is also a retired armed forces chief of staff, said the procedures for processing the I-Cards are now being reviewed so these can be streamlined to address the complaints of visa applicants. The Immigration chief took the criticisms positively, saying “it gives us the opportunity to correct defects and plug loopholes in our systems and procedures." An ACR-I-Card is issued upon the approval by the BI board of commissioners of a foreigner’s application for a resident visa. The BI chief, however, was quick to point out that the rules cannot be relaxed to the extent that the integrity of Immigration documents would compromised. David said the BI is now in the process of implementing measures to ensure that documents submitted by I-Card applicants are authentic and that the applicants are holders of genuine and valid visas. He disclosed that he had received reports that some foreigners managed to acquire their I-Cards through fraud and misrepresentation by submitting fake documents. “These I-Cards are accountable government forms, thus we cannot allow them to fall into the wrong hands," David said. He added that the bureau is also reviewing the rules and procedures for processing other visas and Immigration documents as part of his thrust to cut red tape in the agency. In March, the Civil Service Commission presented the BI with a "report card" showing that among different government agencies implementing Republic Act 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act, the BI had obtained a high grade — 79 percent and a descriptive rating of “good." – MRT/VS, GMA News