New law attracts foreigners
New law attracts foreigners by Joel Zurbano
MEMBERS of various foreign chambers in the
Philippines would support passage of the proposed Philippine immigration
act now pending in Congress, for the benefit of the tourism industry.
Officials of the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, in a
meeting with Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, said
the proposed bill, which makes the immigration law more responsive to
world trends in tourism and economic development, would encourage more
foreigners to visit and do business in the country.
Robert Sears, American Chamber of Commerce executive director, said
the proposed law provides for additional visa classifications for
foreigners, making it easier to get visas based on specific needs,
activities, profession or line of business.
The new immigration act would make the country a magnet for tourism
and economic development, as foreigners wanting to stay and set up
businesses would get more choices as to the type of visas they would
want and need, Sears said.
As a prime tourist and investment destination, the Philippines would
gain medical tourism, as more foreigners would prefer to undergo medical
treatment here, he said.
Libanan also got a briefing on the Retirement and Healthcare
Coalition, a non-stock, non-profit organization that promotes the
retirement and healthcare facilities in the Philippines.
Immigration technical staff chief Patch Arbas said the bureau supports
such initiatives that encourage foreigners to use country’s medical
facilities and programs for foreign retirees.
“Under the proposed bill, medical tourists may now be given an initial
stay of six months instead of the existing two-month initial extension,”
Arbas said.
Also with Sears in the meeting were Henry Schumacher, executive vice
president of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japan
Chamber of Commerce vice president Nonuo Fujii, Korean Chamber of
Commerce president Edward Eun-Gap Chang and Korean businessman Kim Young
Ki. Joel Zurbano