The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has imposed a two-month ban on leave of absence for its personnel posted in the country's international airports to meet the expected influx of incoming and outgoing passengers this Christmas season.
The ban applies to immigration personnel assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other international airports like those in Clark, Mactan, Davao, Kalibo and in Zamboanga.
“We have to see to it that our counters at the airports are fully manned during the holidays when there is a tremendous volume of international passengers arriving and departing at the airports,” Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement on Thursday, Nov. 16.
He said the ban on leave of absence started last Nov. 15 and will be enforced until Jan. 15, 2024.
“This is the time of the year when there is always an upsurge and influx of passengers as Filipinos abroad, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), 'balikbayans' or former Filipinos, would spend the holidays with their families or relatives here,” he said.
“Our 'kababayans' abroad have started to come home while foreigners who wish to visit or reunite with their families in their native lands have also began leaving,” he also said.