The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has initiated an examination of the crew on board dredging vessels involved in reclamation activities at the Manila Bay.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the scrutiny aims to verify the adherence of foreign individuals engaged in the project to immigration regulations.

The assessment, he said,  is being carried out by the agency's bay service division, in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard.

In response to concerns raised by local governments along the coastal areas about flooding caused by ongoing reclamation projects, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has temporarily halted reclamation activities in Manila Bay.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has also committed to conducting an evaluation of the project's impact on the community, ensuring that the reclamation is conducted in compliance with the law.

" It's not just a matter of the national government's concern for the project; we're also taking responsibility by inspecting foreign individuals on these vessels to confirm their adherence to immigration regulations,"  Tansingco said.

He clarified that foreign nationals engaged in commercial activities within the Philippines are obligated to obtain a valid work visa or permit.

Tansingco mentioned that the combined inspection team successfully boarded and examined three vessels: MV Mao Hua, which carried 14 Chinese nationals and 8 Filipino crew members; MV Liang Long, with 17 Chinese nationals and 2 Filipino crew members; and MV Jun Hai 5, hosting 28 Chinese crew members.

He assured that these inspections will continue over the next few days to ensure complete compliance with immigration laws.

"We will present a comprehensive report of our findings to the Secretary of Justice, and any foreign individual found working without proper documentation will face penalties," he added.