Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
    EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Bureau of Immigration started as a division of the Bureau of Customs 
during the American regime in 1899. This was pursuant to Act No. 702 of the 
Philippine Commission. It was appropriate because ship travel and ship cargo 
were interlinked and hence, the office was at the Bureau of Customs. It seems 
that the government then, gave more importance on the entry of goods than 
monitoring of foreign nationals coming into the country. The government was 
more interested in generating customs duties from these goods than in the 
control and regulation of the arrival and stay of foreigners. The functions of 
immigration remained under the said bureau until 1937 when it was transferred 
as a division of the Bureau of Labor. 
On January 22, 1940, the Second National Assembly of the Philippine 
Commonwealth enacted the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth 
Act No. 613). It was signed into law by the President of the United States of 
America on September 3, 1940, creating the Bureau of Immigration under the 
administrative supervision of the Office of the President. 
A year or so later, it became an attached agency of the Department of Justice. 
Later, its administrative control was returned to the Office of the President. 
In 1945, in line with the reorganization plan of the government, the bureau was 
put under the supervision and control of the Department of Labor. 
In 1948, the Bureau was reverted to the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice 
where it has remained up to the present time. 
October 6, 2022
4:17 pm
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On September 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos proclaimed Martial 
Law, through General Order No. 1, ordered and decreed the adoption and 
implementation of the Integrated Reorganization Plan. 
 
Hence, the Commission on Reorganization issued Letter of Implementation No. 
20, dated December 31, 1972 which embodies the plan, including among other 
things, the change of name of the office from the Bureau of Immigration to 
Commission on Immigration and Deportation. This became a collegial body and 
performing both administrative and quasi-judicial functions. It is composed of 
the 
commissioner 
and 
his 
two 
associate 
commissioners. 
Letter 
of 
Implementation No. 20 also abolished the Deportation Board and transferred its 
functions to the Board of Commissioners who gave them power to undertake 
deportation cases. 
 
The bureau was given the sole authority to enforce and administer immigration 
and foreign nationals’ registration laws including the admission, registration, 
exclusion and deportation and repatriation of foreign nationals. It also 
supervises the immigration from the Philippines of foreign nationals. 
 
On July 25, 1987, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive order No. 292, 
also known as the Administrative Code of 1987. Said order renamed the office, 
“Bureau of Immigration.” It continues, however, to perform all the powers and 
functions it had while still a commission, and its head of office still remains to 
be called commissioner as provided under DOJ. 
 
 
This House Bill seeks to provide Modernization Funding to the Bureau of 
Immigration, to ensure that the country fulfills its commitments to provide our 
stakeholders a culture of excellence towards providing internationally recognized 
immigration services leading to effective, efficient and innovative border control 
and management.  
 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
 
 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO  
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDINGFOR THE BUREAU 
OF IMMIGRATIONS, INCREASING AND REORGANIZING ITS 
ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDING EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND 
INNOVATIVE IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY – It shall hereby be a declared 
policy of the State to foster the administration and enforcement of immigration, 
citizenship, and alien admission and registration laws in accordance with the 
provisions of the Philippine Immigration Act. It also plays a role in the 
enforcement of RA 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 
2003. 
The state shall control and regulate the movement of persons to, from and within 
our 
country 
in 
contributing 
to 
national 
security 
and 
development. 
The Bureau of Immigration shall be committed to provide our stakeholders a 
culture of excellence towards providing internationally recognized immigration 
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services leading to effective, efficient and innovative border control and 
management. 
The state shall formulate policies for the efficient and effective administration 
and management of all manpower, skills and competencies to ensure 
compliance. 
SECTION 
2. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Five Hundred 
Million Pesos (Php 500,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of the 
Bureau of Immigration shall be chargeable against funds for the purpose and 
other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM). Thereafter, appropriations for the Bureau of Immigration shall be 
included in the budget proposals under the Department of Justice (DOJ). 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the existing 
organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Bureau of Immigration in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act and relevant compensation and 
position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 
SECTION 
3. 
BUREAU 
OF 
IMMIGRATION 
MODERNIZATION 
FUND – There is hereby created the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Fund 
to be used exclusively for the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Program. 
The Bureau of Immigration Modernization Fund shall be administered by the 
Secretary of the DOJ in accordance with existing government budgeting, 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
4. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Secretary of DOJ shall 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the Bureau of 


Immigration Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the Office of 
the President and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on Justice of the Senate 
and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
5. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Bureau of Immigration shall continue to 
develop, modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep 
pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 
6. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The Bureau of Immigration 
shall continue to exercise and uphold the following powers and functions; but 
not limited to: 
a) Acts as the primary enforcement arm of the Department of 
Justice and the President of the Philippines in ensuring that all 
foreigners within its territorial jurisdiction comply with existing 
laws; 
b) Assists local and international law enforcement agencies in 
securing the tranquility of the state against foreigners whose 
presence or stay may be deemed threats to national security, 
public 
safety, 
public 
morals 
and 
public 
health 
and; 
 
c) Acts as chief repository of all immigration records pertaining to 
entry, temporary sojourn, admission, residence and departure of 
all 
foreigners 
in 
the 
country. 
 
 


In the discharge of its broad functions, the Bureau through its Board of 
Commissioners, exercises administrative and quasi-judicial powers over the: 
a) Regulation of the entry (arrival), stay (sojourn), and exit 
(departure) of foreign nationals in the country; 
b) Monitoring of the entry and exit of Filipino citizens in 
compliance 
with 
Philippine 
laws 
and 
other 
legal 
procedures; 
c) Issuance of immigration documents and identification 
certifications on non-immigrant, immigrant and special 
non-immigrant visas;  
d) Issuance of special permits in relation to the enforcement 
of immigration laws (e.g. Special Work Permit (SWP), 
Provisional Permit to Work (PPW), Special Study Permit 
(SSP), re-entry permits, clearances, etc.); 
e) Extension of stay of temporary visitors and implementation 
of changes of status as provided by law;   
f) Administrative determination of citizenship and related 
status; 
g) Investigation, hearing, decision and execution of orders 
pertaining to exclusion, deportation, and   repatriation of 
foreign nationals; 
h) Implementation of Hold Departure Orders, Blacklist, 
Watchlist, Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders and Alert 
List Orders; 
i) Cancellation of immigration documents upon violation of 
immigration laws and procedures; 
j) Investigation, arrests and detention of foreigners in 
violation of immigration regulation and other Philippine 
laws;  
k) Accreditation of schools and learning institutions that can 
officially accept and enroll foreign students; and 
l) Accreditation of law firms, liaison officers, travel agencies 
and other individuals and organizations transacting with 
the Bureau of Immigration. 
 
 


SECTION 
7. 
INCREASE 
OF 
PERSONNEL. – 
The 
Bureau 
of 
Immigration shall maintain the sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is 
authorized to increase its manpower to meet such required and may continue to 
increase personnel per percentage rate increase of committed mandates 
annually or as the need arises. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
10. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
11. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
12. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,