BI closes 6 satellite offices

MANILA, Philippines –  The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reportedly saved about P800,000 a month after it shut down six satellite offices.

In a statement, BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said the closure of their satellite offices in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Dasmariñas, Cavite; Binondo, Manila; Parañaque City; and Caloocan City was one of the austerity measures their agency is implementing.

“This move promotes economy and efficiency in government which the President himself has been doing by abolishing several offices that the administration finds unnecessary,” he said.

The closure of the six immigration offices was also in pursuant to a directive from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who earlier revoked a memorandum order issued by the previous administration that established the satellite offices.

The bureau, however, assured the public that its services have not been affected by the closure of the satellite offices because aside from its main office in Manila and extension offices in Pasay and Makati, there are still more than 50 immigration district and field offices throughout the country.