Palace: Proposed P240 Immigration Fee Still Under Review

Malacañang on Tuesday, June 2, said the proposed P240 immigration fee for travelers entering and departing the country is still under evaluation and has not yet been approved.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro appealed to the public not to be alarmed, stressing that the proposal remains under study and could still be rejected.

“Sa ngayon po, ito ay proposal pa lamang po, according to Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado. So, wala pa po itong anumang desisyon, wala pa pong nararating ito. Ito ay mere proposal,” Castro said.

“So, huwag po munang mag-alala ang ating mga kababayan dahil mas nauna po talaga silang mag-react. Wala pa po ito,” Castro added.

The proposed charge is intended to support the modernization of the country’s immigration system, including upgrades aimed at improving border security and enhancing services for travelers.

Castro acknowledged the importance of strengthening and modernizing border control measures but emphasized that any policy must be carried out in a transparent, equitable, and credible manner.

She also noted that the President has yet to take a position on the proposal because it remains under review.

“Kaya nga po proposal pa lang. So, puwedeng barilin, puwedeng hindi ipatupad, puwedeng hindi matuloy. So, kaya huwag muna tayong maalarma dahil wala pa po talaga ito – it’s just a proposal,” Castro stressed.

The Bureau of Immigration likewise clarified that the proposed fee linked to its border modernization initiative is still being evaluated and has not received final approval.