The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is proposing a P247 fee for air travelers to help fund a modern airport security system.
According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the proposed fee is part of a public-private partnership initiative aimed at improving immigration operations through advanced biometric systems, real-time risk assessment, data integration, and automated border control technologies.
The proposal is also part of the planned Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) project.
Viado said studies on the CAISS project are still ongoing to determine whether the proposed user fee is necessary and appropriate. He added that consultations will also be conducted with stakeholders from the aviation, tourism, and transport sectors.
The commissioner emphasized that while the agency recognizes the importance of modernizing the country’s border management infrastructure, it is also mindful of public concerns, especially amid current economic challenges.
Any proposal that could affect travelers’ expenses, he said, must undergo thorough review, consultation, and clear public communication.
Meanwhile, Viado denied reports circulating online claiming that the BI is set to collect a P480 fee from passengers, stressing that the project has not yet been finalized.
(PHOTO COURTESY: NAIA)
