Palace, BI: P240 traveler fee still under review

MANILA, Philippines — Facing public outcry over its proposed additional fee on travelers, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday clarified that the Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services project is still under review.

Under the CAISS project, arriving or departing international travelers will be charged $4 or P240 for a one-way flight or P480 for a round-trip.

Malacañang also clarified that the proposed additional immigration fee on travelers is still being studied.

“For now, this is just a proposal, according to (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. So there is no decision yet. Our citizens should not worry because this has not yet been approved,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

The proposed fee will reportedly help fund the modernization and upgrading of the immigration system to strengthen border security and improve services for travelers.

Asked whether President Marcos supports the BI’s proposal, Castro said, “This remains under study. So the President does not have a stand yet.”

Viado said the BI modernization project has not been signed or finalized.

He has ordered a review and stakeholder consultation about the additional immigration fee.

Based on a document obtained by The STAR, the BI’s Pre-Qualifying, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) for the CAISS project, chaired by Arvin Cesar Santos, issued a May 18 bid bulletin announcing it did not receive pre-qualification documents from any prospective challenger until the May 14 submission deadline.

“The PBAC shall proceed with the remaining procurement activities, including the finalization and approval of the draft PPP (public-private partnership) contract,” Santos said.

In reviewing the CAISS project, Viado said the bureau would focus on whether the proposed user fee is necessary, reasonable and justified by tangible benefits to travelers. — Helen Flores, Rudy Santos