PCCI bucks proposed P240 immigration fee
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest business organization is calling on the government to reconsider the proposed P240 immigration fee amid the energy crisis and rising prices.
In a statement yesterday, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said there is a need to carefully consider the timing of the proposal and its impact on travelers and businesses.
“We recognize the importance of modernizing our immigration system to ensure safe and efficient travel,” PCCI president Ferdinand Ferrer said. “At the same time, we encourage government agencies to weigh the economic realities faced by businesses and consumers, including the energy crisis and inflationary pressures.”
The group said existing funding sources should be maximized before imposing new charges.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) receives allocations from the national government and generates revenues from visa processing, alien registration and emigration clearance fees.
If implemented, the PCCI said the Philippines would be the only Southeast Asian country with a dedicated immigration modernization fee on international travelers.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has clarified that the proposed traveler fee “is not yet a done deal.” – Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos
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