In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to enhance national security through digital transformation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Sunday that it is set to launch the Philippines' Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). This initiative marks a significant step in modernizing border security and expediting immigration procedures.
According to the Bureau, APIS is a globally recognized system used by countries worldwide to conduct pre-arrival screening of passengers.
This system enables authorities to identify potential security threats and streamline entry procedures, transforming immigration assessments in the country.
Melvin Mabulac, chief of the BI APIS Operations Center (APOC) and deputy spokesperson, emphasized the value of APIS in bolstering 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 stated.
As part of BI’s preparations, pilot testing is underway with major airlines, including Philippine Airlines (PAL) 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 enhanced surveillance.
To ensure seamless integration of APIS with existing systems, the BI has been actively coordinating with key stakeholders such as INTERPOL, airline representatives, and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
The system is expected to launch within the month, further strengthening BI’s 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 guaranteeing a more effective and convenient travel experience for passengers," BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated.
The BI chief added that the official launch of APIS aligns with the agency’s Bagong Immigration vision, supporting the President's Bagong Pilipinas goals.