In a statement, BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the scheme will enhance the country’s border security and boost the agency’s capability to thwart the entry of foreign terrorists and other illegal aliens.
Biometrics scheme involves the use of an ink-less device and digital camera in capturing the fingerprints and photographs of international travelers.
David said that the project will also expedite the processing of travelers in the ports of entry, ensure the integrity of the immigration system and even safeguard the privacy of travelers.
“It will also help us prevent foreigners from using fraudulent documents to enter the country and enable us to identify departing aliens who have overstayed,” he added.
David also said that thru biometrics the agency can easily detect any attempt of persons who are presently included in the BI watchlist, hold departure list, lookout bulletin, and those who are blacklisted to enter or leave the country.
The BI Commissioner assured travelers that biometrics information collected from them will be kept in the strictest confidentiality and used only for law enforcement and official purposes.
“The scheme is necessary to achieve the BI’s goal to modernize its facilities and provide its immigration officers with an effective tool to identify arriving and departing travelers and detect spurious travel documents,” David said.
Congress has appropriated P94 million this year for the project which is expected to be completed in 2018.
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Quelle/Source: Philippine Information Agency, 08.03.2013
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