In a landmark move for institutional reform, the House Committee on Justice has approved House Bill No. 118, or the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Bill, principally authored and championed by House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.

For decades, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has operated under Commonwealth Act No. 613, the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940—a law that has remained virtually untouched for nearly 85 years. Despite the agency’s critical role in border protection, national security, and the facilitation of international travel, efforts to modernize it had repeatedly stalled—until now.

Under Libanan’s proposed measure, the Bureau will be restructured and modernized to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The bill defines clearer powers and responsibilities, strengthens organizational integrity, and ensures competitive compensation and benefits for immigration officers—recognizing their vital role as frontliners in safeguarding the country’s borders.

Having once served as Commissioner of Immigration, Libanan brings both experience and urgency to this long-overdue reform.

“Our immigration law was written before the Second World War,” Libanan pointed out. “It’s time we update it to reflect today’s realities—digital borders, global migration, and modern governance.”

The committee’s approval of House Bill 118 marks a major legislative victory for Cong. Libanan, solidifying his reputation as one of Congress’s most determined advocates for institutional modernization and good governance.

With this milestone, the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Bill now heads to the House plenary for further debate and approval—bringing the Philippines one step closer to a modern, efficient, and secure immigration system.

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