President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday lauded the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for helping the country boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the enactment of pro-investment policies and reforms.

The Chief Executive cited that the reforms initiated by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan have increased tourist arrivals, enhanced business development and created employment opportunities.

Libanan received an award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) for his “commitment to excellence and good governance, reforms and promotion of inward trade, investments and tourism” during the 35th Philippine Business Conference and Expo held Wednesday at the Manila Hotel.

Mrs. Arroyo, in her speech, said the resilient reforms at the BI were the “best example” of the government and private sector working together to spur the country’s economic development.

“Our strength comes from our networks. Networking has enhanced our competitive edge,” Mrs. Arroyo stressed.

The Chief Executive also said that the executive order creating the special visa for employment generation (SVEG) as proposed by Libanan came at a time when the country was affected by global financial crisis.

Mrs. Arroyo added that with the recent havoc caused by the two typhoons that hit the country recently, it is timely for foreign executives and companies employing foreign expatriates to avail themselves of the SVEG and provide employment opportunities to help Filipino workers in typhoon-hit areas.

Lawyer Miguel B. Varela, PCCI chairman, said the visa upon arrival program, together with the other reforms initiated by Libanan in the bureau has been instrumental in helping foreign businessmen gain confidence in the Philippines as investment site in Asia.

Varela said Libanan transformed the bureau as an agent of reform that helped business executives in its task to help the government entice foreign capitals.

“Commissioner Libanan has successfully helped the country to be the preferred investment destination for foreign businessmen through his innovative approach such as the job visa,” Varela said.

He added the various reforms initiated by Libanan in the BI have increased the arrival of tourists in the country, created employment opportunities for Filipinos and formed a long-lasting business cooperation between the government and the private sector.