Click here to join
http://www.livingin
For the info of the members of this group, here is a newsstory that
appeared today in the Philippine Star. We just all hope that this new
system doesn't get bogged down with non-implementation because of
ignorance of some people within the Bureau of Immigration itself.
New BI system: Tourist visa in one day
Monday, January 14, 2008
Foreign tourists can now enjoy a more convenient visit to the country, as
the processing time of their visas has been cut from a month to one day
via the new Visa Issuance Made Simple (VIMS) system, Immigration
Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said yesterday.
Libanan said the VIMS, which uses a computerized database system, is
primarily aimed at expediting visa processing system in line with
government's bid to boost foreign tourism in the country.
"We have to be sensitive to present needs if only to make our country
competitive in the global tourism and travel market, and the VIMS
project will make the Philippines a tourist-friendly destination,
The new system would also reduce the processing period for visa
extension by 31 percent and for other applications in the Bureau of
Immigration such as change of immigration status and special permits
by 43 percent.
Libanan, former congressman of Eastern Samar, said the project would
be accessible not only to foreigners and tourists in Metro Manila but also
those in the provinces.
He also assured that the VIMS has safeguards that would prevent
foreign terrorists and other undesirable aliens from conveniently
entering the country.
"We will not compromise national security. While the processing of
immigration documents in the bureau will be expedited through the
VIMS, there would still be protection of the country's national
sovereignty, internal security, national economy and family solidarity,"
Libanan stressed.
He explained that the new system is also expected to reduce red tape in
the BI's visa processing by as much as 82 percent.
"This is also our response to the order of President Arroyo for reforms
that would remove graft and improve services in government agencies.
This is our way to effectively eliminate fixers and remove graft in the
bureau," Libanan said.
Lawyer Norman Tansingco, Libanan's chief of staff, said the VIMS
project is part of the bureau's reform program that seeks to modernize
and upgrade the systems in the bureau after BI officials agreed that the
Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 has already become obsolete.
The antiquated immigration law is riddled with loopholes that created
inefficiencies and corruption, Tansingco said.
The VIMS system will be launched today at the BI main office in
Intramuros, Manila. Those expected to attend the event are Justice
Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Presidential Anti-Graft Commission Chair
Constancia de Guzman and representatives of the Department of
Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs, Board of Investments, Philippine
Retirement Authority, Philippine Export Zone Authority, and Office of the
Ombudsman.
To Join us click on:
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com
Great information there too! The best information source on the Web
--------------------------------------------------------------
Philippine Dreams: This book has it all as new expats see it. Just click on http://tinyurl.com/arncg . This link has rave reviews of this book and the *Free* 7 day e-course, Filipina 101.
***The List Real Estate Consultant is President of the Cebu Realtors Board, Tita Domingo, a Realtor (R) with national associates. She is TitaDomingoRE@hotmail.com .***
Listings:http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/real_estate/realtor.html
Moving here, for relocation services and other representation or services Contact the website and List owner don.herrington@livinginthephilippines.com for assistance, advice and guidance. Some of these services may be fee based.
If you want roses for your Filipina friend click on http://tinyurl.com/7y57y , will take you to a quality Philippine company that gives members excellent service. They have a track record with us. I recommend them without reservation.
Other affiliates are at http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/affiliates.html .
List problems: Contact List Guides at LinP1Mods@yahoogroups.com . Read the rules yet? They are at http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/rules.html .
Earn your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your career with an AS, BS, MS degree - College-Finder.net.
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___