Philippine Immigration Bureau Announces Deactivation of Port Operations Department!

According to Philippine media reports, on February 10, the Philippine Immigration Bureau (BI) announced the suspension of its Port Operations Department (POD).

Immigration Director Norman Tansingco said the department's deactivation was based on a Justice Department (DOJ) proposal to restructure and streamline its airport service operating structure.

"This will remove centralized authority over all airports and give power and clear responsibility to the head of the BI airport terminal, who are now directly responsible for the operation and management of their respective terminals," he said in a statement."

The head of BI added that before the reorganization, POD had a complex organizational system with many redundant and overlapping functions.

Tansingco pointed out that during his evaluation, he found that the accountability system was watered down, and each person in charge reported to multiple superiors.

"In this way, we will have a leaner management system that can accurately locate problems and appropriately recognize those who do well," he said.

The commissioner said they submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Justice on February 2 last year.

"We thank SOJ (Attorney General Jesus Crispin Remulla) for his support of our proposal. We are grateful that he has seen the wisdom of restructuring this problematic system, which requires new solutions," he added.