According to the Philippine World News, Philippine Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison issued a directive stating that effective June 1, 2015, all visa and special permit applications will be handled by the Special Task Force on Passports and Special Permits.
All passport applications currently pending with the Bureau of Immigration's Legal Division and other relevant offices will be transferred to the Task Force for processing.
The Task Force will serve as the central processing agency for all passport and special permit applications, responsible for evaluating each application and recommending the necessary actions.
The office will be chaired by Attorney Arnulfo Maminta, with members consisting of passport review and hearing officers, and will be supported by an administrative and technical team under the direct control of the Commissioner.
Currently, the Bureau of Immigration receives an average of 2,100 applications for passports and special permits per month. (Source: China News Service)