THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) is advocating for a nationwide border security modernization program that would deploy artificial intelligence, biometrics and advanced data analytics across the country’s major gateways to detect criminals, human traffickers, and other security threats.
At the center of the proposal is the Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (Caiss) project, a P10.74-billion unsolicited public-private partnership (PPP) proposal currently undergoing interagency review.
BI spokesman Dana Sandoval said the project offers a comprehensive, end-to-end security solution without imposing direct costs on the government, adding that the proposed system would modernize every stage of border management — from passenger processing and data collection to risk assessment and intelligence-driven screening.
“The advantage of this project is that it is end-to-end. From frontline operations to data processing, data collection, and data assessment, the entire system is integrated,” Sandoval said. “And it is not limited to NAIA alone.”
The project would cover all 11 functioning international airports in the country, one international seaport in Zamboanga, and six border crossing stations.
Sandoval said one of the project’s most significant features is its ability to sort and analyze passenger information intelligently, using customized security parameters.
“We can establish parameters that allow data and information to be sorted more efficiently, enabling a more targeted approach when monitoring certain passengers,” she explained.
She added that the technology would significantly enhance the Philippines’ border security capabilities and help the country catch up with more technologically advanced immigration systems already operating in other nations.
Another key component of the proposal is a guaranteed technology refresh every four years.
Sandoval said this provision would ensure that the BI continues using the latest available technologies without requiring additional government spending.
The project also adopts a user-pays financing model, with only individuals who directly use the service shouldering the associated costs, shielding taxpayers who do not benefit from the system from any financial burden.
“This project will have zero financial burden on the government because only those who use the service will pay for it,” she said. “Filipinos who do not use the service will not be financially burdened.”
The proposal has already undergone a Swiss challenge, a competitive process that allowed other companies to submit alternative or improved offers.
Sandoval said the government actively invited firms specializing in similar technologies to participate, but no competing proposal was submitted.
She noted that the project has also been reviewed by the Department of Finance, Department of Justice, and Office of the Solicitor General.
However, she emphasized that the proposal remained under evaluation and no contract had been finalized.
“This means that no contract has been signed yet, and the entire agreement has not yet been finalized. As of now, there are no collections, and nobody is being charged under this project,” Sandoval said.
While acknowledging concerns about potential user fees, Sandoval stressed the need to balance modernization efforts with public welfare.
“Public opinion and the views of our stakeholders are important to us. We want to know what they believe will be beneficial,” she said, adding that the BI follows the policy direction of the national government and the president when adopting new technologies.
If approved, the Caiss project would cover major international gateways including NAIA, Clark, Davao, Mactan-Cebu, Boracay, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Bohol-Panglao, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga airports, as well as the Zamboanga international seaport and six border crossing stations.
The proposed system is designed to comply with standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations agency responsible for global aviation standards.
Its features include advanced passenger information systems, contactless facial-recognition border control, biometric self-service kiosks, criminal-record search engines, and deception detection technology.
