New immigration chief vows policy reforms

MANILA: The new chief of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) vowed to introduce reforms of the agency”s existing policies.

In a statement Thursday, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said this includes a comprehensive review of procedures to identify inefficiencies and remove redundancies.

He also reiterated his support for the passage of a new immigration law to replace the country’s 84-year-old Philippine Immigration Act, which he described as outdated and an obstacle to the agency’s modernization efforts.

He said the new law would not only streamline immigration procedures but also strengthen border security and improve the governance of immigration policies.

“The Bureau is fully supportive of the President’s initiative to prioritize a new immigration law, which will enhance our operations and allow us to serve the public more effectively,” Viado said.

Viado”s appointment completes the three-member BI Board of Commissioners, alongside Deputy Commissioners Daniel Laogan and Aldwin Alegre.

He was previously de
signated as the agency’s officer-in-charge last month and has been in the BI as a Deputy Commissioner since April 2023.

Before his appointment, Viado was an accomplished lawyer who represented several multinational corporations involved in construction operations across Asia, the United States, and Europe. He also previously served in government, working at the House of Representatives and as a legal counsel under the Presidential Management Staff.

He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also earned his law degree. Viado was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999.

Viado took his oath as full-fledged BI chief on Monday before Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Source: Philippines News Agency