Creating a "Visa and Special Permits Task Force"

April 21, 2015

BI ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. SBM-2015-006

CREATING A "VISA AND SPECIAL PERMITS TASK FORCE"

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is principally responsible for the administration and enforcement of immigration, citizenship and alien admission and registration laws, with the Commissioner of Immigration exercising overall authority in matters within the BI's jurisdiction, including those relating to its operations and the enforcement of all laws and regulations thereto; CHTAIc

WHEREAS, among the immigration services provided by BI is the processing, issuance and implementation of immigrant, non-immigrant and special non-immigrant visas and special permits pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, and other special laws;

WHEREAS, the BI presently receives a monthly average of 2,100 applications for visa conversion and extension and for issuance and extension of special permits;

WHEREAS, in light of the BI's program to expedite visa processing applications, without sacrificing the efficiency and quality of evaluation process and assessment of qualifications and documentary credentials of petitioners and applicants, there is a need to create a dedicated group of BI officers and personnel tasked for this purpose;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Book IV, Chapter 6, Sections 29 and 36 (2) of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the "Administrative Code of 1987", in relation to Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, otherwise known as the "Philippine Immigration Act of 1940",the following are hereby ordered:

SECTION 1. Creation. — There is hereby created a "Visa and Special Permits Task Force",hereby referred to as the "Task Force",under the direct operational control and administrative supervision of the Commissioner.

SECTION 2. Composition. — The Task Force shall be headed by a Chairperson, with Visa Reviewing Officers and Visa Hearing Officers as Members, and supported by an administrative and technical staff, in such number as may be necessary to adequately and efficiently perform its functions, duties and responsibilities. cHDAIS

SECTION 3. Functions. — The Task Force shall have the following powers, functions, duties and responsibilities:

a) Act as the interim central processing body of all visa and special permit applications;

b) Evaluate and hear, if required, and prepare recommendation of all applications for adjustment, amendment and extension of immigration status subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

c) Evaluate and prepare recommended action on all applications for issuance and extension of Special Work Permit (SWP)-Commercial, Provisional Work Permit (PWP) and Limited Work Permits (LWP) subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

d) Formulate and recommend to the Commissioner innovative schemes designed to further facilitate and ease the filing and processing of visa and special permits applications;

e) Submit monthly accomplishment reports to the Commissioner; and

f) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.

SECTION 4. Administrative Provisions. — The Task Force and its administrative and technical staff shall be filled-up from existing personnel of the various Divisions, Sections, Units and Offices of BI to be identified and designated by the Commissioner through appropriate Personnel Orders/Letter Directives.

The Management Information Services Division (MISD) and the Administrative Division shall provide the necessary support and assistance to the Task Force for its Information Technology (IT) requirements and work space and other logistical needs, respectively. The resources and logistical requirements of the Task Force shall be sourced out from existing appropriations subject to the usual government and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

SECTION 5. Transitory Provision. — All applications pending with the Legal Division and other concerned offices tasked to process visas and special permits shall immediately turn-over all records thereof to the Task Force upon the effectivity of this Order. All such applications filed with and received by the Central Receiving Unit (CRU) commencing on 01 June 2015 shall be transmitted to the Task Force. EATCcI

SECTION 6. Supercession Clause. — All circulars, memoranda, orders and other issuances inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Order shall take effect on 01 May ^* 2015, provided that the preparatory activities required under Section 4 of this Order shall be undertaken immediately upon approval hereof.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished to the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR),U.P. Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

City of Manila, Philippines. ISHCcT

Approved, April 21, 2015.

(SGD.) SIEGFRED B. MISONCommissioner