THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has clarified that no new travel fees will be implemented pending final approval of the proposed border modernization project.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued the clarification on Tuesday following reports suggesting that travelers would soon be charged a new P480 fee under the proposed Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (Caiss) Project.
Viado emphasized that the reports were based on a proposal that has yet to secure the necessary approvals and should not be interpreted as a binding policy. To ensure an informed decision, the BI chief has ordered a comprehensive review and stakeholder consultation covering all aspects of the proposed modernization initiative.
Central to the review is a proposed user fee of $4, or roughly P247, which would help fund the project’s implementation.
Viado said that the proposal remains subject to evaluation and public discussion.
While supporting efforts to modernize the country’s border management systems, Viado said any additional cost to travelers must be carefully examined before any decision is made.
He noted that strengthening immigration infrastructure is essential in addressing transnational crimes, human trafficking, terrorism, and other emerging security threats that continue to challenge border authorities.
At the same time, Viado acknowledged the concerns of Filipino travelers, particularly as many families continue to navigate economic pressures and rising living costs.
"We should not surprise the public with proposals that could add to their expenses. Border security is important, but it is equally important that our people feel their concerns are heard and considered,” Viado said.
The Caiss project, he said, is a proposed public-private partnership to enhance immigration operations through advanced biometric systems, real-time risk assessment, integrated databases, and automated border control technologies.
According to Viado, the ongoing review will examine whether the proposed fee is necessary, reasonable and justified by measurable benefits to travelers, including faster processing and improved passenger convenience.
The assessment will also cover consultations with stakeholders from the aviation, tourism and transportation sectors, as well as safeguards for data privacy, cybersecurity, transparency and accountability throughout the project’s implementation.
“Our goal is to achieve a safer and more modern border control system, but it must be implemented in a manner that is transparent, fair and trusted by the public. We must first ensure that the proposal is thoroughly studied and clearly explained to our fellow Filipinos,” Viado said.
