By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following a Senate inquiry that found there are thousands of foreign workers in the Philippines, the Bacolod City Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed there are no foreigners working “illegally” in Negros Occidental.

BI-Bacolod head Mita Chuvy Arguelles said all foreigners working in the province have legal documents and are listed with their office. Based on their latest monitoring, around 5,212 recently renewed their visas. Data also showed 58 possessed special working permits, which allows entry for three months, but holders have the option to renew for another six months.

She noted, most foreigners working in the province were hired by private companies and serve in either technical or consultant roles.

The recent Senate hearing found around 52,000 Chinese workers were provided with alien employment permits, wherein they enter the country on tourist visas and are later issued short-term working permits./DGB, WDJ