Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado called on members of the diplomatic and consular corps to support the Philippines’ efforts toward building a more humane, secure, and future-ready immigration system during the April 30 general membership meeting of the Consular Corps of the Philippines.
Speaking at the event held in Makati City, Commissioner Viado unveiled the Bureau’s “Bagong Immigration” vision — a wide-ranging reform agenda that aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas governance framework, which champions integrity, innovation, and inclusivity.
“Our reforms are in line with the President’s call for a New Philippines — one built on integrity, innovation, and inclusivity,” Viado emphasized. “We seek not only to reform our systems but to reaffirm our values of service, cooperation, and respect.”
At the core of the Bureau’s reform roadmap is a seven-point agenda, encapsulated in the acronym P.E.R.F.O.R.M., which stands for:
-
Public Service Excellence
-
Empowered Personnel
-
Robust Law Enforcement
-
Filipino-First Approach
-
Operational Efficiency
-
Responsive Infrastructure
-
Modernization through Technology
“These reforms will enable us to enhance traveler and migrant services, fortify border protection against transnational threats, and strengthen collaboration with global partners,” Viado told the audience of consular officials.
The Commissioner underscored immigration as a vital link between nations, and reiterated the importance of continuous consultation with the diplomatic community in crafting effective and compassionate migration policies.
“We recognize the crucial role of the consular community in offering insights on how immigration policies impact your citizens and bilateral relations,” he said. “This vision is an invitation — to deepen cooperation, build mutual trust, and move forward together as partners.”
Amid growing regional and global migration challenges, Viado stressed that coordinated international action is key to safeguarding peace and managing the Philippines’ porous borders.
He reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to working closely with foreign missions and the international community, in line with the administration’s pursuit of good governance and global engagement.
“Let us move forward together — aligned in purpose, united in progress — with a New Immigration towards a New Philippines,” Viado concluded.
