The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will revert to the previous guidelines on immigration protocols.
The government earlier suspended the 2023 Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities.
“We revert back to the 2015 guidelines while the 2023 revised guidelines are suspended,” Justice Assistant Secretary Dominic Clavano said, in a text message to reporters.
Clavano made the statement as the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) vowed to review the travel guidelines for international-bound Filipinos, whose implementation was temporarily suspended amid concerns from several quarters.
The IACAT said it passed a resolution during a special meeting on Saturday formally suspending the implementation of the 2023 Revised Guidelines on Departure Formalities.
‘’It was further resolved that the IACAT shall revisit the 2023 Guidelines and shall further strengthen its information and education campaign to convey to the public the essential purpose and grave concerns that the 2023 Guidelines seek to address, the IACAT said.
The revised guidelines were supposed to be implemented on Sunday, September 3, but lawmakers and some outbound Filipino travelers raised howls over against possible infringement on their right to travel.
‘’The decision to suspend the implementation of the 2023 Revised Guidelines is the Council’s response to concerns raised by the public and underscores its dedication not only to protect our citizens against trafficking but to clearly inform them of the protective mechanisms in place and how they work,’’ the IACAT said, in a statement.
The IACAT said the guidelines were ‘’intended to be a tool to enhance screening procedures against untruthful declarations, thus protecting Filipino nationals from becoming victims of this heinous crime.’’
‘’Likewise, they recognized the importance of striking a balance between safeguarding the individual’s right to travel and ensuring national security,’’ it said.
The Department of Justice earlier said that the suspension does not affect existing laws and regulations on travel and immigration procedures.