Politics & Government
PEZA and Bureau of Immigration Ink Data Sharing Agreement to Boost Investor-Friendly Visa Services
Pasay City – In its steadfast drive to enhance the ease of doing business within the Agency by enabling the seamless exchange of information, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner, Atty. Joel Anthony M. Viado, officially signed a Data Sharing Agreement on 21 January 2025 at the PEZA Head Office.
Building on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) established in 2021, the partnership between PEZA and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has been instrumental in safeguarding national security while advancing the government’s interests through the efficient processing and issuance of PEZA Visas (PVs) for incoming investors and foreign nationals employed within PEZA-registered ecozones.
With the recent signing of the Data Sharing Agreement, PEZA and BI reaffirm their shared commitment to facilitating optimal operations, enhancing security, and ensuring compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and other relevant issuances and guidelines set by the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
This agreement is part of a broader initiative to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of information exchange, which is essential for the seamless implementation of PEZA Visas for foreign nationals working within ecozones. PEZA has previously entered a similar agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on 16 December 2024 and continues prioritizing partnerships that streamline operations. This reduction in bureaucratic hurdles will enable foreign investors to better navigate the regulatory landscape with greater ease and allow them to commence their projects without unnecessary delays.
PEZA Visa issuances
The PEZA Chief emphasized the strategic role of PEZA and BI, stating, “This collaboration is essential in facilitating trade and investments as it is anchored not just in the inefficient cross-border movement of goods or capital, but equally important is the movement of people. These are your locator company foreign nationals—top executives, production and R&D engineers, machine technicians, and knowledge workers who form part of the ecozone supply and value chains.”
L to R - Ton Melendres 2011, PEZA Chief of Staff, BI Commissioner Joel M. Viado '83, PEZA Director General Theo Panga '86 and Jun Jun Gevero Jr. '95, Chief Immigration Officer
As of December 2024, 16,299 PEZA Visas were issued to principals of PEZA Registered Business Enterprises, along with 5,286 dependents, bringing the overall count to 21,585. The top five nationalities receiving PEZA Visas were led by Japan (35.01%), followed by India (18.73%), China (11.46%), South Korea (10.64%), and Taiwan (2.92%).
Meanwhile, BI Commissioner remarked, “This agreement facilitates effective collaboration among our agencies, enhances data integrity, and contributes to overall security and efficiency of the issuance of PEZA Visas to foreign nationals and their dependents. It is indeed an honor to work with our esteemed PEZA Director General in fulfilling the requirements of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11032), which mandates government agencies to simplify and improve government processes.”
“With the steadfast support of the Bureau of Immigration coupled with the green lane policy of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we will continue to advance our efforts to further attract investments to the country. PEZA remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards and tackling the challenges that hinder the flow of investments into the Philippines. Together, we will continue to drive improvements in the ease of doing business, ensuring that our immigration processes are efficient, welcoming, precise, clear, fast and investor friendly, as implemented by PEZA managed ecozones across the entire nation,” expressed the PEZA Chief.
Source: PEZA press release dated 1/22/25
Editor's Note:
Upsilonians in BI:
