Metrics for departing tourists stay–BI
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified on Friday that the same metrics in assessing departing tourists stay.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed the statement of the Department of Justice (DOJ) stating that the new guidelines are a clarification of the already existing guidelines on departure formalities.
In a press briefing held on Thursday, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that the recently-released guidelines by the Inter-agency council against trafficking (IACAT) poses no additional requirements for departing tourists.
Tansingco stated that in the guidelines, departing tourists are only required a passport valid for at least 6 months, a valid visa if visa required, a boarding pass and a confirmed round trip ticket.
The new guidelines, Tansingco said, merely writes down requirements for other categories of departing Filipinos.
He clarified that as in the past, only Filipinos that depart with red flags may be required to show additional supporting documents, which are now specified in the guidelines.
In the briefing, the IACAT highlighted the importance of the guidelines in protecting departing Filipinos from human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
Republic Act 9208 or The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 also requires the IACAT to promulgate rules and regulations to suppress trafficking.
The guidelines, the IACAT said, streamlines requirements for each type of departing passenger in line with the President’s directive.
The move, according to the BI, would clarify needed departure documents and eliminate unnecessary requirements and questions from immigration officers.
Tansingco shared that the guidelines on departure formalities have been in place since 2012, and was later revised in 2015. He assured travelers that the new guidelines would not be a reason for unnecessary interviews.
The IACAT is an interagency body chaired by the DOJ, co-chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
