Duterte OKs fast-tracking of IRR for advance passenger information

December 27, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday approved the recommendation of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to shorten the period to come up with the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of an executive order requiring commercial carriers to provide the Bureau of Immigration advance passenger information (API).

During Duterte’s emergency meeting in Malacanang, Guevarra said the period given to the BI and other agencies to come up with an IRR for EO No. 122 must be shortened from 60 days to 20-30 days in view of the urgency of the situation due to coronavirus pandemic.

“I would just like to add a fourth recommendation. And well, based on our discussions earlier, one very significant thing that I noted was the observation that this new COVID-19 virus has not yet reached Philippine shores,” he told the President.

“We just want, well, to direct, if you may, the Bureau of Immigration and the implement --- other implementing agencies to come up with the IRR as soon as possible so that we can address this problem immediately because we don't know if at any time a (carrier) may come,” he added.

Duterte told Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to coordinate with the concerned agencies.

Last December 15, Duterte issued an EO to further strengthen the country’s border controls through the adoption and implementation of the Advance Passenger Information System.

API is the electronic transmission of information by the captain, master or agent, or owner of a commercial carrier to the BI prior to a traveler’s arrival or departure in a Philippine port of entry.

Such information includes flight details, name, date of birth, gender, citizenship and travel document data of the individual passenger or crew/non-crew members.

“The API will enable the BI to conduct in advance security vetting of international travelers to effectively facilitate and expedite the arrival and departure process of legitimate travelers during primary inspection,” the EO stated. Ella Dionisio/DMS