After news that the Bureau of Immigration will require Filipino travelers to present financial documents before leaving the country broke on Saturday, netizens took to social media to air their reaction, confusion, disagreement, and anger. Which then prompted the BI to clarify the procedure of having Filipinos leaving the country show their financial documents.
READ: Bureau of Immiration will make it extra-difficult for Pinoy tourists to leave PH
“In a statement, BI chief Siegfried Mison said financial capacity is not a requisite before a citizen is allowed to enter or leave the country,” reports ABS-CBNnews.com. “According to Mison, a person may only be asked to present further proof as to the reason for his travel abroad if he appears to have a different reason other than what he has declared before an immigration official.”
This extra step is under the “Guidelines on Departure Formalities for Internationall Bound Passengers” devised by a technical working group, in line with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, and approved by the Department of Justice. It actually took effect in January 2012.
So to prevent further red tape, please make sure all your travel documents are complete and in order. And please: no more looking dugyot in the airport.
Photo by John Paul Solis (via WikiCommons)
