BI launches e-counters for airports, seaports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday launched the BI Information System (BIIS) E-Counter Project for all airports and seaports.

The e-counters are created for passengers’ convenience, welfare and to enhance security checks.

It seeks to simplify and fasten the process of scanning passports, verifying fingerprints and photos electronically. All processes are estimated to take a minute per person.

The passenger, upon clearance from the e-counter, may directly proceed to the express or APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) lanes for the immediate stamping of the passport. 

BI Commissioner Siegfried Mison said that “e-counters is the physical equivalent of the Bureau's 'good guys in, bad guys out' formula. It will be faster for the right reasons and slower or never for unwanted visitors.”

“The launch of the e-counter completes the first phase of the Department's signature National Justice Information System (NJIS) under the Aquino administration," DOJ Assistant Secretary and Chief Information Officer Geronimo said.

The e-counters are expected to be used at the three major airports in time for APEC event in November 2015.

"The country joins the ranks of the global community with e-counters and e-gates to seamlessly address the increase in travelers in recent years given the capacity constraints," Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said.