BI signs P1.5-B contract for purchase, installation of e-gates
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday, Dec. 22, signed a P1.5-billion contract for the acquisition of electronic gates or e-gates that will be installed in the country’s international airports.
BI Spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the deal was signed by Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado and iWave which will supply and install the e-gates.
“So, once everything has been finalized through the contract, we would be able to procure the additional electronic gates for our international airports,” Sandoval said.
She explained that with the use of e-gates the processing of travel documents will only take eight seconds compared to the average 45 seconds at manned immigration booths.
The e-gates are very timely because there has been an increase in the number of travelers, especially after the pandemic,” she added.
Just recently, the BI said that 78 e-gates were installed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that were purchased by the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC).
Previously, there were only 22 e-gates installed at the arrival areas.