MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) and its global counterparts have discussed solutions and advancements for modern challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region during the Border Management and Technologies Summit Asia Pacific Forum held on November 5-7 in Manila.
In a news release on Wednesday, the BI said the event was successfully held in partnership with the International Border Management and Technologies Association (IBMATA).
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado underscored the importance of international collaboration in strengthening border security.
“This summit provided an invaluable platform for agencies and experts to share best practices and collaborate on evolving border security measures,” Viado said in his opening statement during the summit.
“By co-hosting this event, we affirmed our commitment to border innovation that supports both national and global security,” he added.
The participants focused the discussions on integrating artificial intelligence, biometrics, and data analytics to enhance border control systems.
Viado shared the BI’s recent advancements in digital systems, such as the e-gate system and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), which pre-screens travelers before arrival in the Philippines.
“Our goal is to establish a secure, efficient border that adapts to global security demands,” Viado said.
Apart from Viado, key speakers from the BI included Bienvenido Castillo III, Chief of the BI’s Anti-Terrorist Group and Jose Dennis Javier, chief of the BI NAIA Terminal 3.
Other speakers were from the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Airline Operators Council, and the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation.
International experts from US Customs and Border Protection, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, and Malaysia’s Immigration Department, among others, also served as speakers during the event.
BI officials highlighted that the summit provided a unique opportunity to showcase the agency’s progress in border modernization on an international stage.
The co-hosted event emphasized collaboration in addressing regional challenges, such as managing large-scale migration and combatting transnational crime
Viado expressed optimism about the partnerships formed during the event.
“This summit exemplified our dedication to building secure, resilient borders—not only for the Philippines but in cooperation with our global counterparts,” he said. (PNA)