PH NEEDS ‘END-TO-END’ BORDER UPGRADE — BI

THE Philippines needs a fully integrated, nationwide border security system that goes beyond NAIA — one that uses artificial intelligence, biometrics, and real-time data sorting to catch human traffickers, terrorists, and other criminals before they cross the country’s gates.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the proposed Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) project offers exactly that, without costing the government a single peso.

In a recent interview, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval laid out the compelling case for the P10.74-billion unsolicited proposal for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project now under inter-agency review, emphasizing its end-to-end capabilities and its potential to leapfrog the Philippines’ technology forward.

“Ang kagandahan po nitong proyektong ito ay end-to-end. So, mula frontline, data processing, data collection, data assessment, pino-provide po nitong entire system na ito. At hindi po ito centralized lang in NAIA,” Sandoval said.

She specified the project’s nationwide reach: “All international airports — so there are 11 international airports na functioning po na nakalagay dito, as well as isang international seaport, which is in Zamboanga and six border crossing stations.

“So, lahat po yan ay magpo-provide ng end-to-end, meaning ‘yung mga electronic gates and the data processing, the AI processing, the biometrics capturing.” Targeting criminals with precision Beyond faster processing,” she said.

Sandoval stressed that CAISS would give authorities a powerful new tool to screen passengers intelligently.

“Meron din tayong pwedeng maglagay ng parameters para ma-sort ‘yung mga data or information, and it would be able — pwede nating gamitin ‘yun para sa target approach natin when it comes to monitoring certain passengers,” she explained.

“So, napakaganda po nung system, that’s why it’s being considered by the agency — it will boost us up technology-wise, ihahabol niya tayo doon sa ibang mga bansa.”

TECHNOLOGY REFRESHED EVERY 4 YEARS

Sandoval highlighted a key feature of the proposal: a guaranteed four-year refresh cycle that keeps BI at the cutting edge without additional public spending.

“Merong 4-year refresh cycle ng technology, so ginagarantiya nito na ‘yung BI uses the latest technology without added burden to the government,” she said.

She also underscored the project’s innovative financing model, which relies entirely on user fees from those who actually use the system.

“Kasi ito ay magkakaroon ng zero financial burden to the government dahil ang gagamit lang. Kung sino lang ‘yung gagamit, ‘yun lang po ang magbabayad nung serbisyo na iyon,” Sandoval said.

“Yung mga kababayan po natin na hindi naman gagamit ng serbisyong ’yon will not be burdened financially by this service,”  she added.

SWISS CHALLENGE COMPLETED, NO COUNTER OFFERS

The proposal from the proponent has already undergone a Swiss challenge — a competitive process that invites other companies to submit better or cheaper offers.

“Nagkaroon din po ng Swiss challenge. Binuksan po ito sa lahat ng mga tao na maaaring merong counter-offer, counter-proposal, a better proposal for the Philippine government,” Sandoval said.

“The agency went as far as sending out letters to inform ‘yung mga kumpanya na gumagawa po ng mga ganitong technologies na baka meron silang other offers — at wala pong iba na nagbigay ng counter-offer.”

The project has since been reviewed by the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the Solicitor General.

Sandoval, however, clarified that no contract has been signed yet and no fees are being collected. “Ngayon po, the project is not yet final. Ibig sabihin po, wala pa pong napipirmahang kontrata, hindi pa po na-finalize ang buong kasunduan. Sa ngayon po, wala pa po tayong inaasahan na sinasabi po na meron nang mga collection or sisingilin for this project.”

BALANCING SECURITY AND PUBLIC OPINION

Asked how the government would balance modernization costs against the welfare of ordinary Filipino travelers, Sandoval acknowledged the delicate nature of the decision.

It’s a delicate balance ng ano ba ang maitutulong nito sa ating bansa in general, as well as ano ba ‘yung mga cost nito. Kailangan nating balansehin ‘yun,” she said.

“Mahalaga din sa atin ‘yung opinyon ng publiko, ng ating mga stakeholder, kung ano ‘yung sa tingin nila ay makakabuti,” she said.

She added that the BI follows the direction of the national government and the President when acquiring such technologies.

“Tandaan po natin, this is a proposal from a private company at ngayon po ay nag-u-undergo pa ng assessment bago natin i-finalize po ang desisyon nito,” she said.

CAISS PROJECT TO COVER ALL MAJOR INTERNATIONAL GATEWAYS

The CAISS project, if approved, would cover all major international gateways, including NAIA, Clark, Davao, Mactan-Cebu, Boracay, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Bohol-Panglao, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga airports, plus the Zamboanga seaport and six border crossing stations. Compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) biometric and border security standards and practices, it includes advanced passenger information systems, automated border control with contactless face pass, biometric kiosks, criminal record search engines, and deception detection tools,” Sandoval said.

ICAO is a UN specialized agency based in Montreal, Canada, that is responsible for establishing the standards and practices that govern international air navigation.

For now, the proposal remains under assessment. But Sandoval’s message was clear: the technology exists, it covers the entire border, and it comes at no upfront cost to the government, which is a compelling package as the Philippines races to catch up with its ASEAN neighbors and other countries.