ShareThisMANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has closed down six satellite offices in Metro Manila and nearby provinces as part of the bureau’s austerity program and streamlining.
BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said the closed immigration offices were those in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Dasmariñas, Cavite; Binondo, Manila; Chinese Mall of Asia, Parañaque and Caloocan City.
Ledesma said the satellite offices were closed pursuant to a directive from Justice Secretary Leila De Lima who earlier revoked a memorandum order issued by the previous administration that established the satellite offices.
He said the move was in line with the policy of the Aquino administration to streamline the bureaucracy.
“This move promotes economy and efficiency in government which the President himself has been doing by abolishing several offices that the administration finds unnecessary,” Ledesma said.
The immigration chief also said it was not feasible to maintain the satellite offices since the bureau had to employ contractual employees to man them, aside from expenses incurred for rent and utilities.