Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente expressed his gratitude to the House of Representatives for including the proposed Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act as one of the top priorities for its 3rd and final regular session.
In a statement, Morente said the inclusion of the BI Modernization Act in as one of theimportant measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) is long overdue.
He said the prevailing law was created in the 1940s and many of the provisions do not apply to current situation.
“The new law is very timely as it will modernize border control,” said Morente.
He said the new law will reorganize the structure of the BI, specify responsibilities, define visa categories, put in safeguards for checks and balances, and hike the salaries of personnel.
It will also confer to the head of the Bureau's Disciplinary Authority the disciplinary actions of personnel, which is currently under the Department of Justice.
"Quick and swift disciplinary action is needed to deter wrongdoings among the men and women of the service," Morente said