MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has temporarily suspended several transactions at its offices in Luzon, except for outbound passengers following the national government’s order to observe social distancing measures and the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in the region amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) menace.
“We are temporarily suspending several transactions in Luzon and are downgrading our workforce to the barest minimum to ensure compliance to stringent social distancing measures,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.
Transactions suspended by the bureau are filing and hearing of applications for extension or conversion to non-immigrant or immigrant visa, dual citizenship, downgrading of visa status, special work permit or provisional work permit, renewal of Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Cards or ACR I-CARD, and implementation of approved visa applications for extension or conversion.
“This would likewise allow foreign nationals who are unable to go out of their residences to file their applications at a later time due to the quarantine,” he added.
Morente said all foreigners whose visas will expire during the duration of the enhanced community quarantine will be allowed to file their applications for extension without penalties, provided that they file the applications within 30 days from the lifting of the quarantine.
“This is similar to the action we took after Typhoon Yolanda. These are special times, hence we had to adjust our procedures to ease the burden of those affected,” he saId.
The government has placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine, which includes the suspension of public transport operations, to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
The quarantine period started on March 17 and will end at midnight on April 13.