The issuance last week of the revised guidelines of the Bureau of Immigration for Filipinos traveling abroad, apparently part of its bid to protect citizens from human trafficking and illegal recruitment, which was quite extensive, has naturally raised concerns, with some of our countrymen saying that the requirements are overly demanding and it makes it seem that the government is infringing on its people’s right to travel.
Those additional requirements, which upon clarification are going to be part of the gauntlet that first-time travelers will need to cross, include documents like proof of accommodation, financial capacity or source of income, and proof of employment.
Furthermore, those whose trips are sponsored by relatives may need to present an original birth or marriage certificate, copies of the sponsor’s passport and valid work visa or residence permit, and perhaps an Overseas Employment Certificate if the sponsor is an OFW. For sponsor-relatives that are within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, a notarized original affidavit of support and guarantee and original birth or marriage certificate might be required.
Travel sponsored by non-relatives might require a notarized original affidavit of support and guarantee as well as a document establishing the relationship between the passenger and the sponsor. First time OFWs may be ask to show pertinent OFW documents as well, which includes valid employment visa, or work permit and employment contract.
Anyway, any Filipino with impending travel plans who comes across that list will surely be intimidated, discouraged, and disappointed by the number of hoops our government is making us jump through in order to be allowed to leave our own country. But if it’s any consolation, that long list of documents that a traveler has to prepare in case the immigration officer asks for it, apparently only applies to first time travelers. This means “seasoned” travelers don’t have to worry so much and all such travelers will have to prepare are their passport, boarding pass, visa (which should in in your passport), and maybe a confirmed round trip ticket.
Hearing immigration and DOJ officials clarify that the guidelines apply mostly to first-time travelers may come as a relief to seasoned travelers, but the fact that those requirements are still deemed necessary and even have to be revised, even after all that time and effort our government has spent against human trafficking, speaks volumes of how the battle against trafficking has been going. At this point we can only hope that our government can come up with better, smarter, and more efficient ways to allow its citizens to travel more freely and fear our own government bureaucracy less, but at the same way combat human trafficking operations that are also evolving and getting smarter.
The biggest aspect of this effort against human trafficking that needs major improvement is the perception that government is doing this to make life harder for us, and at the same time so immigration officials can bully, harass, or extract bribes from victims. It is sad that when government tries to put more effort into combating human trafficking, our terrible poor perception of it makes us think of the all the negative aspects of it, such as the inconvenience, the opportunities for corruption, and the added hassle, when if you come to think of it, they could be simply be trying to prevent poor and gullible Filipinos from being taken advantage of by human traffickers, which basically involves modern-day slavery.
I don’t know how the Bureau of Immigration can transform its image, from one that makes it look like it is simply focused on preying on ordinary Filipinos by imposing ridiculous and discriminatory travel standards, when it is actually just trying to do its job, into being seen as a government agency that actually cares for Filipino people and is genuinely trying to protect its citizens from ruthless criminal organizations engaged in human trafficking.
In an ideal world, Filipino travelers shouldn’t be afraid of the immigration officer, but should be able to appreciate their efforts instead. A BI really cares about its mandate, will have to go beyond simply updating policies and instead focus on a genuine effort to totally upgrade its image and the perception of the Filipino towards it, which will involve more than just implementing policies, and require a total revamp of the way it operates, does things, and interacts with the people that it is supposed to protect.
Whoever can achieve that sort of makeover for the Bureau of Immigration and convert its image and reputation from one that is an inconsiderate bully, to a government agency that exudes genuine care and concern for the ordinary traveling folk, while it prosecutes its war against human trafficking, will have the gratitude and appreciation of everyone in this country who has ever thought of traveling but is terrified of the BI.*
