BI: Modernization plan on track amid budget cut

DESPITE the significant slash in its budget, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will still pursue its modernization program, putting to good use the Senate-allotted budget of P2.67 billion for next year.

Originally, the immigration bureau had asked Congress for a P4.24-billion budget for 2024, mainly to finance its procurement of necessary technological upgrades for its operations.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said on Wednesday he was thankful to the Senate for approving the agency's budget, mainly intended for the modernization of the BI's operations, particularly at the airports.

«We are looking at ways to modernize the bureau, both in terms of technologies and of services. It is a mission that I vowed to accomplish when I assumed office last year,» said Tansingco.

«Not only will [modernization] raise the level of the agency, it will also serve as a major deterrent for illicit activities by removing opportunities for corruption,» he added.

«We will likewise be pushing for the new immigration law that will update the 82-year-old Philippine immigration act to ensure that we adapt to modern times,» he pointed out.

Tansingco revealed that they plan to digitize airport operations by procuring additional electronic gates to be deployed at both the arrival and departure areas.

This move, he said, would greatly decongest the immigration area as it could lessen processing time to 8 seconds per person.

Further, Tansingco said that part of the budget was for the procurement of body camera systems initially for secondary inspectors assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as well as other provincial international airports and the Zamboanga International Seaport.

The BI also aims to beef up its cybersecurity tools to better protect its data.

Last month, it shared that it plans to procure artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as an added layer of security at international ports of entry and exit.

The technological upgrades, Tansingco said, are part of the BI's drive to modernize its operations to be on par with foreign counterparts.

«We wish to thank DoJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for pushing for the approval of our budget,» he said.

He likewise