Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10) — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) officially deactivated its Ports Operations Division (POD), BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed Friday.
This was after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he will sign an order deactivating the POD as it is “part of the defect in the immigration system right now.”
READ: DOJ set to deactivate BI’s Port Operations Division
Tansingco said the POD had a complex organizational system with “many redundant and overlapping functions.”
Accountability within the POD system was “diluted,” with each head reporting to multiple superiors, he added.
Deactivating the POD will remove the centralized authority over all airports in the country.
Tansingco said this move will empower and exact accountability on BI airport terminal heads, who are now directly responsible for the operation and management of their respective terminals.
“Through this way, we will have a leaner management system, and would be able to pinpoint problems, as well as properly commend those doing a good job,” he added.
