Immigration and consular office heads of member-nations belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have chosen Philippine Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan as chairman of the Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (DGICM) during its 13th meeting hosted by the Philippines.

Director-General Dato Abdul Rahman Othman of Malaysia transferred the chairmanship of the DGICM to Libanan, and urged him to continue the DGICM’s work in enhancing cooperation among its member-nations on immigration matters.

“We believe that Commissioner Libanan can lead the organization into a new height so that it would actively respond to the growing needs of its member-countries in the field of trade, investment and tourism,” Othman said.

DGICM is a high-level ad hoc committee that was established to carry out specific, concrete and solid framework for immigration cooperation in the region. This year’s DGICM aims to continue efforts to address transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and terrorism, while promoting regional trade, investment and tourism.

In her speech marking the opening of the annual regional meeting, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera said that “no amount of latest technology can cope with the demand on border protection.” We should be open to the realization of the problems that confront us. As we seek solutions, we should also consider (each member-country’s) culture and beliefs. We should localize.”

Devanadera cited the DGICM for facilitating the sharing of information in immigration matters, which addresses the problems arising from the differences in cultures and local settings of the member-countries of the ASEAN.

Dr. Termsak Chalempalanupap, ASEAN Secretariat head said delegates discussed the adoption of terms of reference on real time sharing of information on lost and stolen passport, sharing of information and intelligence data, the creation of ASEAN immigration and consular websites, as well as the common ASEAN Visa for non-ASEAN Nationals.

ASEAN delegates discussed matters that have arisen from the previous DGICM which concern tourism, tighter inter-ASEAN contact and cooperation.

The agenda also includes the status of the ASEAN Framework on Visa Exemption, and the Implementation of Guidelines for the Provision of Emergence Assistance by ASEAN Missions in Third Countries to Nationals of ASEN Member States, harmonization of ASEAN immigration arrival and departure cards and agreement on ASEAN immunity and privileges.