The Philippine Immigration Act of 2009 is scheduled to be tackled by the bicameral conference committee of Congress this Tuesday to consolidate the House and Senate versions of the measure.

Sen. Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice, and principal sponsor of the bill in the upper chamber, will spearhead the bicameral committee at 9 a.m. this Tuesday together with Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano.

The House contingent is composed of Committee on Justice chairman Rep. Matias Defensor, Junie Cua, Rep. Pedro Romualdo, Rep. Jesus Crispin, Remulla, Rep. Edcel Lagman, Rep. Amelita Villarosa, Rep. Roman Romulo, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and Rep. Justin Chipeco.

During the bicameral meeting, provisions and differences of the House and Senate versions are expected to be threshed out and consolidated. If the kinks are ironed out, the bill would be ratified\ by both houses of Congress before it would be transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s approval.

Under the Immigration Act, the BI will play a major role in attracting foreign investments and creating jobs that would boost the government’s campaign to reduce unemployment in the country.

One of the salient provisions of the bill is the implementation of policies and procedures that would make it easier for foreigners to visit or do business in the country, leading to increased capital influx and generation of more job opportunities.

This would empower BI to help spur the economic development as it would attract foreign businessmen to pour in needed investments in the country, creating thousands of jobs.