The Bureau of Immigration (BI) assured the traveling public of uninterrupted service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other ports despite the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said there will be no reduction in manpower deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other ports
"There will be no diminution in the duty days of our port personnel as we are duty-bound to ensure that all international travelers who enter and exit our borders get a the hassle-free immigration service from our officers,” he said.
He disclosed that he has directed lawyer Carlos Capulong, BI port operations division (POD) chief, to maintain the present work scheme and schedule of immigration personnel assigned at the airports.
He noted that during the past several weeks there have been a steady increase in the volume of international passengers entering and exiting our airports.
"Thus it would only be prudent to keep our current manpower to ensure smooth service to the traveling public," said Morente.
He, however, stressed the need for all BI port personnel to strictly follow prescribed health protocols and while on duty in order to protect themselves against the new Omicron variant that is fast spreading in the country.
Capulong said that under previous resolutions of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), government personnel involved in border control operations such as BI officers are allowed to operate at full capacity.
Capulong also bared that the BI has just procured and distributed new PPEs for its frontline officers at the airports which should wear while on duty at the immigration officers and when clearing special flights at the airport’s remote parking areas.
Earlier, the BI announced that it will be observing a 60 percent on-site work capacity from January 3 to 15 at its main building in Intramuros, Manila and other satellite, field and extension offices in the metropolis.