By Ariel Fernandez
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced that it will be suspending some of its provincial operations nationwide during the holy week to conduct disinfection.
Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente
(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, smaller field offices of the Bureau will be temporarily closed "to allow these offices to conduct much needed disinfecting following the spread of COVID-19."
Morente stated that the move was to protect both BI personnel and the transacting public from contracting the disease.
It can be recalled that earlier, the BI placed its men on skeletal force, following the enhanced community quarantine.
"This move was done after a careful study, and it will definitely not affect our operations," said Morente. "Most offices have zero to two transactions per day due to the quarantine, add that to the fact that most international airports have also temporarily ceased operations," he added.
Morente clarified that offices nearest operating international airports, as well as their main office in Intramuros, will remain open to cater to urgent matters.
"Many of the foreign nationals who are leaving depart via sweeper flights organized by their embassies," said Morente. "Our key offices shall remain open to coordinate this, including our airport and seaport operations," he shared.
He added that foreign nationals may contact the BI's National Operations Center through phone numbers +63285243769 and +63284652400 or via email at [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].
Their social media accounts Facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration and Facebook.com/immigration.helpline.ph are likewise available for queries.
Regular operations, according to the BI, will resume on April 13.