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Modernization, additional benefits eyed for Bureau of Immigration under new chief

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="ABS-CBN News/file" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/06/26/2018-062318-bureau-of-immigration.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News/file</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) aims to modernize itself with a new commissioner in charge and a bill proposing a trust fund for the agency approved at the House of Representatives.</p><p>This, after the House Committee on Justice gave the green light for a P1.2-billion fund for BI to modernize the agency, touch up its pay scales, and further professionalize its officers and rank-and-file employees.</p><p>The bill, authored by Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, seeks to empower BI to collect immigration fees, fines, and penalties, and to retain a third of the said collection for the trust fund.</p><p>If signed into law, the “Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act” will also set up a 3-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the President to administer the fund.</p><p>The Immigration Trust Fund (ITF) will cover the modernization of BI&#x27;s facilities and equipment, payment of employment benefits, as well as further professionalization of officers and employees through training, seminars and other career advancement programs.</p><p>Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the modernization of BI&#x27;s system is very much needed to &quot;effectively track foreign nationals, especially the illegal ones.&quot;</p><p>For his part, new BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco also said that the bureau will head towards modernization, as well as improving its services, under his watch.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/22/palace-names-norman-tansingco-as-new-immigration-chief">New Immigration Commissioner is lawyer Norman Tansingco</a></li></ul><p>“We are looking at ways to modernize the bureau, both in terms of technologies and of services,” said Tansingco, who was sworn into his new post before Remulla Thursday morning.</p><p>He also noted that as Commissioner, he will be leading the bureau in looking into e-services and man-less transactions.</p><p>&quot;Not only will this up the level of the agency, but it will also serve as a major deterrent for illicit activities by removing opportunities for corruption,” Tansingco said.</p><p> “We will also 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 added.</p><p>Tansingco is the first appointment Commissioner to rise from the bureau&#x27;s ranks.</p><p>He worked with BI from 2007 to 2017, holding several key posts including Chief of Staff and technical assistant of the Office of the Commissioner, and as a lawyer of the BI Board of Special Inquiry.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EVk6Fa-BF9k?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) aims to modernize itself with a new commissioner in charge and a bill proposing a trust fund for the agency.