By Junex Doronio
MANILA — National security takes precedence over tourism profits.
This is the stance of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as its spokesperson Dana Sandoval on Sunday (12 May 2025) said that while tourism is very important to the Philippine economy, the government also needs to implement stricter measures to protect the national interest.
“We also have to look into the national security issue, the safety of the country. Kung merong mga ilegal na ginagawa [if there are illegal activities], I think it’s also important to have strict measures kung may nakikita na tayo na kakaibang nangyayari [if we see anything different happening] or mga activities that are probably inimical to national security or public interest,” Sandoval said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
She clarified her reaction to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines could “discourage tourism and hurt businesses.”
Sandoval pointed out that the BI has always been strict in inspecting arriving foreign nationals, particularly those involved in illegal activities.
Amid a high number of fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) moved to tighten the Philippines’ visa requirements for Chinese tourists.
“Nakikita natin na malaking bagay ang karagdagang paghihigpit ng DFA doon sa pag-iisyu ng visa [the DFA’s tighter restrictions on visa issuance as a big thing]. It’s really an added layer of security in assessing arriving, incoming passengers,” the BI spokesperson said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
