Ombudsman Remulla to gov't: Outsource visa processing, strip DFA of role

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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has called for the outsourcing of visa processing to a third-party service provider, questioning the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) capacity to screen foreigners seeking entry into the Philippines.

In his program on DZRH, Remulla said visa issuance was an immigration concern that fell under the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The point is we want to get a background of the people entering our country. And if the DFA is not capable of doing that, give it to VFS (Visa Facilitation Services),” Remulla said.

He was referring to VFS Global, a private outsourcing and technology services company that assists governments and diplomatic missions with the administrative aspects of visa applications, including collecting application forms, supporting documents and biometric data.

Remulla made the statement in reaction to reports that the DFA is reviewing its policy on visa-free entry for Chinese tourists amid concerns that it may have contributed to the expansion of Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities.

"The DFA’s problem is that it seems to have forgotten that its primary job is to be diplomats. In this case, they want something else to happen—they want to do business. They used to turn visa issuance in China into a business,” he added.

Remulla also claimed that the DFA generated substantial revenues through travel agencies.

He described visa processing as a clerical task and said the Philippines lacked the capacity to perform it effectively in other countries, making a third-party provider such as VFS a better option.

“The DFA should no longer assume that visa processing automatically falls under its responsibility. We have to take it away from them,” Remulla said.

GMA News Online has reached out to the DFA for comment and will update this story once a response is received.—MCG, GMA News

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