August 18, 2014

BI OPERATIONS ORDER NO. SBM-2014-038

GUIDELINES IN THE CONDUCT OF ALIEN REGISTRATION PROGRAM (ARP)

The Alien Registration Program (ARP) is a Department of Justice (DOJ) — Bureau of Immigration (BI) initiative designed to register, map and enroll fingerprints of aliens. It aims to register 1.5% of the total alien population index.

Pursuant to the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Alien Registration Program, these guidelines shall determine the conduct of the Alien Registration Program (ARP).

SECTION 1. Aliens Who Shall Register under the Program. — Unless otherwise provided by law, all aliens whether documented or undocumented, shall register under the ARP.

SECTION 2. ARP Application Form. — The Application form shall be the ARP Form 1.

SECTION 3. Where to Get Application Form. — Application forms are available at all BI Offices and downloadable via www.immigration.gov.ph.

SECTION 4. Supporting Documents. — An application form shall be accompanied by any document evidencing identity of the applicant, e.g., Passport, ACR I-Card.

SECTION 5. The Period of Filing Application. — The application period shall be 01 September 2014 to 31 August 2015, unless otherwise provided by regulation.

SECTION 6. Personal Appearance. — Aliens availing themselves under this Rules shall personally-appear before any designated BI office, for interview and biometric-data capturing.

SECTION 7. Primary Interview of Applicant. — All applicants shall be interviewed by the Registration Officer/ACO to verify entries in the application form. In case of visa-related problems, section 15 applies.

SECTION 8. Encoding of Applicant Information in the BIIS System. — Complete and verified applications shall be encoded in the BIIS system by the Registration Officer.

SECTION 9. Special Security Registration Number (SSRN). — Aliens registered under the program shall be designated an encoded alpha-numeric, non-transferable registration number in the issued ACR I-Card. DHSCTI

SECTION 10. Biometrics Capturing and Payment of Fees. — (i) Non-registered applicants shall be required to undertake biometrics-capturing, after payment of $50.00 ACR I-Card fee and P500.00 express lane fee; and (ii) Registered applicants with valid ACR I-Cards may request for biometrics capturing and issuance of new ACR I-Card with SSRN, upon payment of $20.00 and P500.00 express lane fee.

SECTION 11. Renewal/Reissuance of ACR I-Cards. — Registered applicants for renewal/reissuance of ACR I-Cards shall undergo the standard ACR I-Card processing by the Alien Registration Division (ARD), before issuance of new ACR I-Card with SSRN.

SECTION 12. Issuance of ACR I-Card with SSRN. — An ACR I-Card bearing an SSRN subject to varying restrictions (e.g., this card shall not be used for any private or government transaction) shall be printed after three (3) working days from the date of filing of application.

SECTION 13. Secondary Interview of Applicant. — In case of visa-related problems, the ACO/BI Head shall conduct a secondary interview to provide assistance, recommend visa options and suggest remedy mechanism.

SECTION 14. Remedial Mechanisms for Visa-Related Problems. — The ACO/BI Head may recommend visa options and remedial mechanisms such as waiver from prosecution for RA-562-related offenses during the period of the program or pendency of compliance and reduction on penalties and fees subject to existing rules and regulations.

SECTION 15. Duties and Functions of BI-ACOs and Heads. — The BI-ACOs and Heads shall: (i) Ensure completeness and accuracy of application and system encoding; (ii) Provide mobile biometrics data-capturing, if warranted; (iii) Safekeeping of allocated ARP devices; (iv) Acts as Registration Officer for purposes of ARP; (v) Coordinate with Local Government Units (e.g., Barangays, Municipalities) and other private organizations/institutions (e.g., educational, business, NGO's) within their territorial jurisdictions on the implementation of ARP and (vi) Submit a weekly report to the ARP Chairman; and (vii) Recommend issuance of proper visa or remedy mechanism subject to Commissioners' approval.

Failure to comply with the duties and functions assigned shall subject the concerned BI-ACOs/Head for Administrative sanctions through the Board of Discipline (BOD). The weekly report shall form part of the performance rating of the ACO/BI Heads to be submitted every Monday.

SECTION 16. ARP Biometric Devices Allocation. — There shall be an initial 43 ARP devices for disposition of ARP Chairman to BI-Main office and other BI district, field, one-stop-shop, extension and satellite offices. (Annex "A")

SECTION 17. Penalty. — An applicant who knowingly makes an untruthful statement in the application shall be liable under the Alien Registration Act of 1950 (RA 562), Section 6.

SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. — All other Memorandum inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

SECTION 19. Effectivity. — These Rules shall take effect immediately.

 

(SGD.) SIEGFRED B. MISONCommissioner