BI hopes cashless deals stop corruption

MANILA, Philippines–The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will soon implement cashless transactions in a bid to cut red tape and corruption.

In a statement, the BI said various fees and dues may soon be paid using an automated teller machine (ATM) card or prepaid card.

“We have decided that we can take advantage of the available technology and, consequently, the usual exchange of cash and the age-old practice of bribery or grease money is eliminated, once and for all,” said Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison.

Mison said cashless transactions would also be more convenient for foreigners dealing with the BI.

He said using the ATM would speed up transactions like the annual reporting to the BI by resident aliens, visa extensions and applications, among others.

The bureau has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines establishing point-of-sale (POS) terminals at several BI offices.

POS terminals will be set up in the BI offices on Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, and in Cebu in the coming weeks. They will honor ATM and debit cards under the Bancnet, Megalink and Expressnet networks.–With a report from Jocelyn P. Uy