The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to launch the Philippines’ Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), a major step in modernizing border security and streamlining immigration processes, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance national security through digital transformation.
The APIS is a globally recognized system used by countries worldwide to conduct advance screening of passengers before their arrival.
The said system allows authorities to identify potential security threats and facilitate seamless entry procedures, revolutionizing immigration assessments in the Philippines.
BI APIS Operations Center (APOC) Chief and Deputy Spokesperson Melvin Mabulac emphasized the importance of APIS in strengthening the country’s border security. “This system will enable us to screen passengers in advance, improving risk assessment and expediting the processing of legitimate travelers,” said Mabulac.
As part of the BI’s preparations, pilot testing is underway with major airlines, including Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific, in coordination with their service providers. Connectivity tests with INTERPOL’s I-24/7 database have also been successfully conducted, ensuring access to international security watchlists for enhanced monitoring.
The BI has been actively engaging with key stakeholders, including INTERPOL, airline representatives, and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UN OCT), to ensure the seamless integration of APIS with existing systems.
The system is expected to be launched within the month, showcasing the boost in immigration capacities of BI.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to modernize immigration processes,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. “With APIS, we are not only strengthening security but also ensuring a more efficient and hassle-free experience for travelers.”
He added that the launch of the BI’s APIS is a major step towards the Bagong Immigration vision of the agency, leading towards the President’s Bagong Pilipinas goal. (BI)
