BI restricts entry of foreigners

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is set to implement the restricted entry of foreign nationals in the country starting today.

The move follows the issuance of the Department of Foreign Affairs' Foreign Service Circular suspending visa issuance and visa-free privileges for foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines owing to COVID-19 outbreak.

The Philippines was placed under a public health emergency and a State of Calamity due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, in a statement, said all issuance for entry visas for visa-required foreign nationals were suspended and all previously-issued visas are deemed cancelled by DFA.

The DFA circular adds that visa-free privileges of foreign nationals are likewise temporarily suspended.

“We will be implementing it in 48 hours, or 12mn of March 22, 2020 to give ample time to the DFA to inform foreign posts and embassies,” said Morente.

The suspension of visa issuance and visa-free privileges is tantamount to a total suspension of the entry of foreign nationals, Morente added.

“Following the direction of the DFA who decides on our foreign policy, we will likewise be temporarily restricting the entry of foreign nationals who have converted to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, those under visa waiver agreements, as well as special visa holders,” he said.

Currently, nationals of 157 countries enjoy visa-free privileges.  These countries include the South Korea, United States of America, Canada, Japan, and Singapore.

South Korea remains the top arrival in the country with more than 2.1 million arrivals in 2019.

But Morente clarified that visas already issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals remain valid.

Also exempted from the suspension are foreign crew members, foreign diplomats and officials of international organizations accredited to the Philippines.

Warning

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry has issued Memorandum Circular 20-07 which provides for measures to prevent unreasonable increase in the prices of all basic necessities.

Also, the circular targets to ensure availability of vital and essential commodities especially during the duration of public health emergency.

DTI, in a statement said, that without prejudice to the penalties prescribed under relevant ordinances issued by local government units, any person or entity found violating the provisions of this circular shall, if circumstances warrant, be further charged with appropriate violations of the said laws such as Illegal Acts of Price Manipulation, particularly hoarding, punishable under the Price Act with a fine ranging between P5,000 and P2,000,000 and imprisonment of not less than five years, but not more than 15 years.

Accreditation

On the other hand, the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas is currently issuing a "food lane accreditation" to ensure unhampered movement of food and agricultural products during this state of calamity due to COVID 19.

DA-7 said that agri-food and products suppliers can visit the agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) to apply for their respective food lane passes and accreditation.

The said accreditation facilitates easy access of trucks and other transports loaded with agri-fishery products at the quarantine checkpoints amid traffic congestion.

DA-7 added that applicants for accreditation pass will have to bring required documents such as valid company ID, delivery truck's OR and CR and other relevant information for prompt issuance of food lane conduct pass. KQD (FREEMAN)