By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has unveiled a new development plan that will guide the agency’s programs and activities in the next four years.

The BI is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

BI Commissioner Ricardo David, Jr. announced the plan during the BI’s 72nd anniversary celebration on Saturday wherein he summarized the bureau’s achievements during the past year.

David said that the BI’s 2012-2016 development plan is guided by the social contract of President Benigno S. Aquino III with the Filipino people and the 2011-2016 development plan of the DOJ.

He described the plan as “oriented towards our vision to become a dynamic and progressive institution of highly trained, dedicated and honest public servants providing excellent immigration services while ensuring national security and economic development.”

David said that the plan is the roadmap for reforms the BI will follow as it continues to implement its campaign against corruption, professionalize its ranks and modernize its services and facilities.

He added that the plan defines the BI’s overall strategy for implementing its programs which have five components, namely: policies, people, management information systems, facilities, and financial management.

“We are not sure that we can finish these programs within the next four years but we will do our best. Whoever follows us can continue and build on what we have started,” David said.

In summarizing his accomplishments, David declared that the BI under his watch has been implementing far-reaching reforms “that will make us the epitome of true and honest public service.”

He thanked BI employees for their support, saying that, as a result the bureau is now the object of praise by its clients and stakeholders.

“Although we still have a lot of unfinished business, the changes we initiated so far have proven to be effective, not only in fighting corruption but, more importantly, improving the quality of services we extend to the transacting public,” David said.