The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has abolished the port operations division (POD) which managed all the activities at international airports and the international seaport in Zamboanga City.

The functions of the powerful office were directly taken over by the immigration commissioner.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the deactivation of the POD was approved by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to simplify the handling of passengers.
“This will remove the centralized authority over all airports, as well as empower and exact accountability on the BI airport terminal heads, who are now directly responsible over the operation and management of their respective terminals,” said Tansingco.
The BI chief noted that prior to the reorganization, the POD had a complex organizational system with many redundant and overlapping functions "diluting accountability with each airport chief reporting to multiple superiors."
“This way, we will have a leaner management system and able to pinpoint problems, as well as properly commend those doing a good job,” Tansingco added.