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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider BI creates new office for refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons

BI creates new office for refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons

Published Mar 19, 2026 03:58 pm
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has created a new office to handle concerns of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, and other persons of concern (POCs).
In a statement on Thursday, March 19, the BI said the new office is the Protection Unit for Persons of Concern (BIPU-POC) which is under the Office of the Commissioner.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said: “The Philippines has long upheld its humanitarian commitments, and the Bureau of Immigration plays a critical role in ensuring that these commitments are translated into clear, lawful, and orderly procedures.”
Viado pointed out that the government will protect those “who genuinely seek refuge in accordance with the law, while also safeguarding national security and maintaining strict immigration control.”
He said the new office was established after the Department of Justice (DOJ) updated the operating rules and guidelines governing POCs.
The BIPU-POC, Viado said, is tasked with reviewing and acting on DOJ endorsements, coordinating with relevant government agencies and international partners, maintaining a centralized database of POC cases, and ensuring that immigration processes are aligned with both humanitarian standards and national security requirements.
He also said the BI has adopted safeguards to ensure that individuals who formally apply for refugee or stateless recognition are not prematurely removed from the country while their claims are being evaluated by the proper authorities.
Monitoring mechanisms and documentation requirements remain in effect to preserve the integrity of the immigration system, he added.
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