November 23, 2012

BI MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. RADJR-12-029

ORDAINING THE "ALIEN REGISTRATION AND REPORTING ON WHEELS (ARROW)" PROJECT OF THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 562, as amended (Alien Registration Act of 1950) and the Regulations Governing the Registration of Aliens in Accordance with the Alien Registration Act of 1950 require foreigners residing and sojourning in the Philippines under certain conditions to personally register with and annually report to the Bureau of Immigration (BI);

WHEREAS, several groups, associations, companies or offices with foreigners-members/employees and/or individual foreigners who, by their substantial number and nature of work and status make their personal appearance before the BI in compliance with annual reporting requirement under the aforementioned Act impractical, have been requesting to the Bureau of Immigration for a distinct facility to service their respective annual reporting needs;

WHEREAS, as a positive response to such requests and consistent with the policy of the BI to convey the government's immigration services nearer to and easier for the transacting clientele and at the same time broaden the BI's database of registered foreign nationals in the country, there is a need to adopt an strategic mechanism and system for this purpose; EHACcT

WHEREFORE, pursuant to the rule-making power of the Commissioner of Immigration under Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613 (Philippine Immigration Act of 1940), as amended, the following is hereby ordered:

SECTION 1. The Project. — There is hereby adopted the "Alien Registration and Reporting on Wheels (ARROW)" Project to be primarily executed by the Alien Registration Division (ARD).

SECTION 2. Creation and Composition of ARROW Teams. — (a) Upon issuance of appropriate Personnel Order, ARROW Teams shall be constituted with the following minimum personnel:

One (1) Team Supervisor

Two (2) Registration Officers

One (1) Fingerprint Officer

Two (2) Collecting Officers

Two (2) Information Technology personnel

One (1) Datatrail Corporation personnel

(b) Upon recommendation of the Chief, Alien Registration Division (ARD), the Commissioner may create as much ARROW teams as may be necessary and warranted under the circumstances. EHaCID

(c) Immediately upon effectivity hereof, the Chief, ARD shall submit to the Office of the Commissioner a list of personnel who may be selected as members of ARROW teams through the issuance of appropriate Personnel Orders.

SECTION 3. Duties and Functions of the ARROW Teams. — Each of the Teams shall perform and discharge all the duties and functions of registering and/or conducting the annual reporting of the foreigners belonging to or members of the requesting party, as well as discharge all the duties and responsibilities related or incidental thereto, consistent with the Republic Act No. 562, as amended (Alien Registration Act of 1950) and existing rules and regulations. These duties include:

(a) Annual Report processing;

(b) Personal and biometrics data capturing of registrants; and

(c) Other activities incidental and related thereto.

For this purpose, the respective Chiefs of the ARD, Cash Section and Information and Communication Technology Section, as well as Datatrail Corporation, shall ensure that each teams are equipped and provided with all the necessary supplies, equipment and facilities.

SECTION 4. Deployment of ARROW Teams. — Upon written request by any party, the Commissioner shall deploy the Team/s to the venue or place where the registration or annual reporting activity is to be conducted on the date and time requested, as far as practicable; Provided, that such request is made not later than five (5) working days from the intended date of activity; Provided further, that the time of such activity shall be conducted during non-regular working days and hours; and, Provided finally, that the number of teams to be deployed shall be based on the number of registrants or foreign nationals belonging to or members of the requesting party as follows:

Fifty (50) registrants or less — One (1) team

More than fifty (50) registrants — Two (2) teams

SECTION 5. Reportorial Requirements. — Within fifteen (15) working days from the close of each annual reporting period, the Chief, ARD shall render a report of all the activities conducted and undertaken relative to the Project to the Commissioner.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All circulars, memoranda, orders and other issuances that are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. cHCIEA

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Let copies of this Memorandum Circular be filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), U.P. Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, and furnished to all concerned.

City of Manila, Philippines, November 23, 2012.

(SGD.) RICARDO A. DAVID, JR.CommissionerBureau of Immigration