In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance national security through digital transformation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced Sunday it is scheduled to launch the Philippines’ Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).

This represents a significant step in modernizing border security and expediting immigration procedures.

According to the BI, APIS is a globally recognized system used by countries worldwide for pre-arrival passenger screening.

The system allows authorities to identify potential security threats and facilitate seamless entry procedures, revolutionizing immigration assessments in the country.

Melvin Mabulac, chief of the BI APIS Operations Center and deputy spokesperson, emphasized the value of APIS in strengthening border security.

“With the help of this system, we will be able to screen passengers beforehand, which will enhance risk assessment and speed up the processing of authorized travelers,” Mabulac said.

As part of the BI’s preparations, pilot testing is underway with major airlines, including Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, in coordination with their service providers. Connectivity tests with INTERPOL’s I-24/7 database have also been successfully conducted, ensuring access to global security watchlists for improved surveillance.

To ensure the smooth integration of APIS with existing systems, the BI has been actively engaging with key stakeholders, such as INTERPOL, airline representatives, and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.

The system is expected to launch within the month, showcasing the BI’s enhanced immigration capabilities.

“This project is a major step forward in our continuous efforts to update immigration procedures. We are not only enhancing security with APIS, but we are also ensuring a more effective and convenient travel experience for passengers,” BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.