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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Travellers in 2023 higher by 118% than in 2022 -- BI

Travellers in 2023 higher by 118% than in 2022 -- BI

Published Jul 19, 2024 08:18 am

A total of 26,055,748 travelers had been processed by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in 2023 or 118 percent higher than the 11,977,688 registered in 2022.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco attributed the increase to “revenge travel” following travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tansingco noted that the passengers processed in 2023 included a 151 percent spike in tourist arrivals and a 79 percent surge in the number of flights served.

With the increase in travel, Tansingco has assured that the BI remains committed in pursuing the vision of President Marcos for a more efficient and secure Philippines.

“We are paving the way for a new beginning for the Bureau of Immigration,” said Tansingco ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Marcos on Monday, July 22. 

“The ‘Bagong Immigration’ vision is now within reach,” he added.

Tansingco cited that the BI has made significant strides in border management and security.

He said the bureau had intercepted 3,359 undesirable aliens in 2023 which is higher than the 2,768 recorded in 2022.

At the same time, he said the Philippines continues to be in the Tier 1 list in the United States’ Trafficking in Persons Report.

He said the BI even endorsed 726 trafficking cases to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) last year.

He added that the BI prevented the entry in 2023 of 171 foreign nationals convicted of sex crimes.

The bureau also launched early this year the #Shieldkids campaign that encourages citizens to report potential cases of child exploitation and abuse committed by foreign nationals, he also said.

Also started in 2023 was the full implementation of its Integrated eTravel System which replaces the paper-based arrival and departure cards with a digital system, he said.

Just last April, the bureau also kickstarted the label-free processing for arriving passengers who use the electronic gates and it has also allowed online visa extensions as well as online applications for special study permits and student visa, Tansingco also said.

Last July 16, the BI, together with the Department of Tourism, launched the Cruise Visa Waiver program that simplifies and streamlines issuance of visas to cruise tourists, he added. 

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