BI rolls out updated border control system

Bureau of Immigration commissioner Norman Tansingco has vowed to prioritize overseas Filipino workers traveling in and out of the country this holiday season with the launching of the latest Border Control Information System update — the centralized database of all travel records of incoming and outgoing passengers.

Tansingco said that they have ironed out technical glitches primarily in the connectivity with the Department of Migrant Workers' overseas employment certificate validation system.

The system is a database sharing information that would allow the BI access to DMW's OEC records, lessening paperwork for departing OFWs and it is integrated in the BI's system, allowing immigration officers to search and view the OFW record corresponding to the OEC presented.

Apart from faster processing, the system also allowed BI officers to immediately verify and intercept fake OECs upon presentation by illegal recruitment and human trafficking victims.

"This e-system has truly been instrumental in the improvement of services of both the BI and the DMW for OFWs," Tansingco said. "We thank DMW Secretary Susan Ople for the partnership in improving services for our kababayans."

He added that majority of the technical glitches previously encountered have been resolved, and they are in continuous communication with the DMW regarding improvements they can implement on the system.

The BI chief also disclosed that they have allocated about a third of their counters to prioritize OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

"We expect an influx of OFWs traveling to the country this holiday season," Tansingco said. "Hence, we want to make sure to give them the best and most efficient service, so they can spend more time with their families."