Rules for advanced passenger information system okayed

(City of San Fernando Information

FREEPORT --The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the approval by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the advanced passenger information system (APIS) which aims to strengthen the country’s border security.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente disclosed that Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra approved the APIS’IRR in January, which was published in a newspaper of national circulation.

The system was adopted through an executive order that President Duterte issued last Dec. 15.

APIS involves the electronic transmission to the BI by the airlines of the names and personal details of their passengers and crew members prior to their arrival or departure in the country.

This will enable the BI to conduct in advance security vetting of international travelers so that those with derogatory record such as international terrorists and wanted foreign fugitives, will be prevented from boarding their flights to the Philippines right at their ports of origin.

Morente said the BI will launch the APIS as soon as technical issues are ironed out to ensure the successful implementation of the scheme.

Documents show that the BI has created the APIS Operations Center (APOC) last February 19 to oversee the implementation of the pr oject .

Once operational, the APIS will relieve both the airlines and the BI of the burden of having to turn back or exclude undesirable aliens upon arriving in our airports and board them on the first available flight to their port of origin.

If an incoming traveler listed in the manifest registers a derogatory hit in the BI database, the bureau will immediately inform and instruct the airline not to board the passenger on his flight.

“The system would allow BI to receive specific data from arriving passengers,” said Morente. “Apart from checking derogatory records, we will be able to use data to

Sun.Star Staff Reporter

FREEPORT -- Senator Joel Villanueva is confident that the newlysigned COVID-19 vaccination program law will help end the country's issue on the lack of vaccines.

According to the senator, the law will also erase the "shame of our being last in the ASEAN to get one.”

The measure increases the number of buyers, removes taxes, relaxes procurement rules, and creates an indemnity fund, he said.

“Then it will make it easier for government to close vaccine supply deals,” said Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee.

“It will make us competitive in the global vaccine race,” he added

Villanueva urged the executive branch to use this law that Congress wrote and the budget Congress approved to shore up the national vaccine inventory.

“Kung meron pong 5 million vaccine doses before end of March and another 24 million doses then that would only cover 12 percent of the 110 million population at two doses per person. Kaya kulang pa po,” he sai d.

“Kaya gamitin po natin ang batas sa pagbili ng bakuna. Kung totoo pong meron na 161 million doses by the end of the year, well and good. If this bill is what is needed to firm up its delivery, then invoke its provisions,” he added.

Villanueva said this optimistic forecast will leave 30 million Filipinos still unvaccinated when the pandemic enters its third year.

“If they would require 60 million doses, the authority and the guarantee to get these for them are in the law,” the senator explained.

“We’ve done our part. It is now their turn to do theirs. It is time for them to deliver. May pondo at polisiya na. Insurance sa babakunahan at indemnity fund na hiningi ng mga suppliers, isinama na po namin. Naglagay na rin po tayo ng vaccination list plus vaccination card. We also removed the taxes and the procurement restrictions,” he said.

“If they’ve asked ask to throw in the kitchen sink, we would have done it so there will be no more excuses for the delay. May batas na po, bakuna na lang kulang,” Villanueva said.

investigate the possible entry of illegal aliens through early detection of red flags,” he added.

Through the APIS, the BI will be able to analyze travel patterns, pre-check booking details, and know actual ports of origin.

Said data will be helpful in restricting the entry of unwanted aliens in the country.