RP's immigration technology at par with other developed countries, say Japanese naval officers
MANILA,
March 9 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) can now cope with other
immigration offices of developed countries in terms of equipment and the
usage of modern technology.
This was declared by Captain Makato Ito, commanding officer
of a visiting Japanese naval squadron, who paid a courtesy call on BI
Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.
Ito, together with Japanese naval Commander Takashi Iho,
toured the BI main building in Intramuros, Manila, to get a glimpse of
the modern facilities and equipment that were installed in the agency
since it launched its modernization program more than two years ago.
The two Japanese naval officers said they were impressed by
what they saw in the bureau as they did not expect the Philippine
immigration service to have a border management system that is
comparable with other developed countries.
The visitors were particularly impressed with the facilities
that they observed at the BI which monitor the bureau’s activities in
all the major ports of the country.
They were able to see how the bureau’s main office monitors
the movement of passengers, including the actions of its immigration
officers, in various international airports and subports.
Jose Carandang, BI boarding section chief, also informed the
visitors that 37 seaports nationwide are now equipped with
state-of-the-art equipment that facilitate efficient monitoring,
screening and processing of travelers.
“They were impressed. They were surprised to see that a
Third World country like the Philippines has a modern and efficient
immigration service,” Carandang said in recalling his conversation with
the visitors.
The Japanese naval officers head a training squadron of
three Japanese battleships, manned by more than 600 officers and crew
members that docked at Pier 13 of the Manila South Harbor.
The sailors, who include 100 newly-commissioned officers of
the Japanese navy, are in Manila for a week-long goodwill visit that
started last Wednesday. (PNA)
DCT/FFC/FMB
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