The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued a reminder to departing international passengers to check in at least 3 hours prior to their flight.
(File photo)
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the reminder in response to a viral complaint from a male passenger who claimed that he missed his flight due to a secondary inspection.
Upon verification with the systems, Tansingco said the passenger had checked in only one hour and 27 minutes prior to the boarding time of his flight.
Additionally, the passenger presented himself for primary inspection only 12 minutes prior to the boarding time.
Secondary inspection is a standard security protocol conducted for passengers who may have exhibited cautionary indicators which is in line with the BI's role under the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
Tansingco emphasized that BI officers are trained to conduct inspections efficiently and respect passengers' time while ensuring the adherence to security protocols.
He said that the operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 had 26 counters last year.
However, with the expansions carried out by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the number of working stations has increased to 42.
Tansingco stated that this improvement, along with the anticipated further expansion of the immigration area, will enable the BI to add more immigration officers to serve arriving and departing passengers.