Wednesday, May 14, 2008 BI top official to hold office in Cebu for 1 day
COMMISSIONER Marcelino Libanan of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will hold office in Cebu on May 19 as his way of bringing immigration service to the countryside.
Assistant Commissioner and Alien Control Officer Reynaldo Almaden said Libanan will arrive in Cebu on May 18 together with President Arroyo.
Both are sponsors of the 40th wedding anniversary of Rep. Francisco Matugas and his wife, Department of Education (DepEd) 8 Director Sol Matugas.
Problems
“Commissioner Libanan will hold office here in Cebu from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 19 to thresh out problems regarding immigration matters,” Almaden said.
Almaden said Libanan will hold a command conference with all the officials and personnel of the bureau in Central Visayas.
Investments
“We expect that the Commissioner will give us some solutions to the problems while we are serving the public,” Almaden said.
Almaden said Libanan wants BI to help the government promote investments in Cebu.
“The Commissioner believes Cebu is a very good haven for investments,” Almaden said.
“The policy of the Commissioner is to help the aliens who are willing to invest in the country,” Almaden said.
Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann T. Castro, who is detailed by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales to BI Central Visayas, has a broad task to improve the office.
Case build-up
Almaden assigned Castro as officer-in-charge of proper case build-up, information gathering and investigation of all immigration complaints lodged in immigration Central Visayas.
Castro will coordinate with the BI 7 intelligence unit.
Aside from assisting in administrative matters, Castro will also assist in the processing of visa applications and conduct hearings, if necessary.
Almaden also assigned Castro in making recommendations of the cases handled and pass it to him for action. (EOB)
