Changes in the air

[Mike J]

I did find an article and it appears that bill is still alive.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1362567/house-panel-oks-bill-seeking-to-modernize-bi

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on appropriations has approved a bill which seeks to modernize, professionalize and improve the compensation of officials and personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, author of House Bill No. 4103 which was among the bills consolidated and approved, said that the proposed Philippine Immigration Act would replace the 1940 immigration law known as Commonwealth Act No. 613.

“The proposed new immigration law aims to make the BI more responsive to the challenges and developments of migration and immigration, which require streamlining and modernizing the bureau and expanding its powers and functions,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rodriguez said the bill defines the powers and functions of the immigration bureau, its commissioner, two deputy commissioners and other officials, and directorates and offices under it.

Further, Rodriguez said the bill also upgrades the salaries of BI officers and personnel.

According to the lawmaker, while there have been changes in the 1940 law in the past, the statute “has ceased to be responsive to present-day conditions and realities.”

He said that aside from the pastillas scam that protected mostly illegal Chinese nationals, “many aliens in the country have been involved in various crimes, including kidnapping, smuggling, human trafficking, labor recruitment, and terrorism.”

Rodriguez said the bill will now go to the plenary for second reading debates.

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1362567/house-panel-oks-bill-seeking-to-modernize-bi#ixzz72RCFjTJM
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[scott h]

47 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

some scary consequences.

You guys had best hurry up and get married 

 

[Snowy79]

One good point is Quota visas are increasing to 200 per Nationailty but having read the pdf now there's no mention of Retirement Visas. 

[Jack Peterson]

19 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

One good point is Quota visas are increasing to 200 per Nationailty but having read the pdf now there's no mention of Retirement Visas. 

 Surely the BI Do not issue a Retirement Visa is that not the province of another Agency

[BrettGC]

Just now, Jack Peterson said:

 Surely the BI Do not issue a Retirement Visa is that not the province of another Agency

Philippine Retirement Agency in conjunction with BI I believe, but yeah, PRA is the issuing authority.  Not sure that it's subject to quotas though.   

[Snowy79]

Definitely genuine as the first reading has passed the Congress and is being accelerated to the Senate where no doubt there will be tweeks. From my reading of the actual Bill the key areas will be for tourists. No more visas on entry and each visa is to be obtained via your local Consulate/Embassy and only valid for 5 days.  Also if you leave and wish to return within the year you need permission to return prior to leaving.  Once you have left for more than one year all visas are cancelled.  They are also looking to up Quota visas to 200 per year per nationality. 

[hk blues]

Hasn't all this kinda been in the wind for some time now?  I recall several posters mentioning that the BI officers at airports were suggesting that tourist visas may not be appropriate for some?

On one hand, we can say that it is short-sighted to likely cut off a revenue stream i.e. foreigners spending money here but on the other, plenty of other countries have stringent rules around tourist visas.

[softail]

Dose this mean that that the Balikbayan privilege is gone?

 

[softail]

PRESS RELEASE
2021 July 26
 Alien spouses, children, parents of Pinoys need not present entry exemption doc starting Aug. 1 - BI
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that starting Aug. 1, its officers at the ports will no longer require the presentation of an entry exemption document (EED) from foreign spouses, children and parents of Filipino citizens who are traveling to the Philippines as tourists to visit their kin here.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new policy is in compliance with the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infection Diseases (IATF) which eased the entry travel requirements for foreigners related by marriage or filiation to Filipinos.
Previously, these aliens are allowed entry into the Philippines only if they have valid 9(a) tourist visas as well as an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its various embassies or consulates abroad.
Those who fail to secure and present either one of the two documents are excluded and turned back upon arrival at the ports of entry.
Under the new IATF resolution, foreign spouses, children and parents of Filipinos will only be required to present 9(a) tourist visas beginning on Sunday.
The IATF, however, instructed the DFA to include in the visa of said aliens the notation: “EED not required per IATF Resolution No. 128 (s.2021).”
“We welcome this latest ruling of the IATF as it will now be easier and convenient for foreigners whose Filipino spouses and children are currently in the Philippines to visit and reunite with their loved ones,” Morente said.
The BI chief stressed that the new travel guidelines apply only to foreigners who are not accompanied by their Filipino spouses or Filipino parents in going to the Philippines.
“Foreigners who are traveling with their Filipino spouses or parents are eligible for the Balikbayan program and they may be admitted visa-free for a one-year stay,” Morente said.
He explained that those who are not traveling with their Filipino principal must apply for a 9(a) tourist visa from a Philippine consulate abroad, which they would use for entry to the Philippines.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong reminded that while the exemption on alien families of Filipinos has been loosened, the ban for those coming from 10 countries due to the Covid-19 Delta variant remains.
“Those coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are still not allowed to enter the country,” said Capulong. “This includes those who have a travel history to said countries within the last 14 days from their date of arrival,” he added.
Said travel ban, said Capulong, remains in effect until July 31, unless extended or expanded by the IATF. #
 

It looks like the Balikbayan privilege is still in effect when traveling with your spouse 

[Snowy79]

This is the link to the Bill that has just passed Congress.  It still has the Senate to go through then if approved a 60 day window. http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lis/bill_res.aspx?congress=18&q=SBN-1649