MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) allayed fears expressed by "sari-sari" store owners and other retail outlets that the new job generation visa program of the government would lead to the death of their trade.

Under the Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG), foreigners with businesses here that employ 10 or more Filipino workers are granted indefinite stay in the country.

They are also allowed to enter and leave the country without securing reentry or exit permits.

BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the SVEG holders are not expected to compete with small entrepreneurs, especially in the provinces where there are many sari-sari stores.

Speaking before a media forum at the Aloha hotel in Manila, the BIR chief said the interests of local businesses are protected by the Constitution and other laws governing foreign investments.

He also said that foreigners applying for SVEG are first required to get a permit from the local government where they plan to put up their businesses before they are granted the job generation visa. He said one can protest such application if it directly competes with his trade.