MANILA, Philippines – Dress well or you won’t be entertained at the Bureau of Immigration.
This, after Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. issued a memorandum prohibiting the wearing of shorts, undershirts and slippers at the BI office in Intramuros, Manila.
David said he has ordered the Civil Security Unit (CSU) personnel to strictly implement the dress code for all persons entering the bureau’s premises.
“Employees manning the frontline services are directed not to entertain any person who does not comply with the dress code while transacting business in the bureau,” David said, adding that the order applies to foreigners and Filipinos alike.
BI Administrative Division chief Felino Quirante Jr. added that the bureau, like any other government office, was mandated to implement the proper dress code not only on foreigners but on Filipinos as well.
Quirante recalled that security guards of the bureau used to be very strict in enforcing the dress code but the policy was relaxed during the previous administration.
Lawyer Arvin Santos, BI legal chief, said he instructed all legal and hearing officers under him not to entertain improperly dressed foreign visa applicants in their offices.