BI vows speedy processing of travelers’ documents

MANILA, Philippines — Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco has vowed to expeditiously process travelers’ documents as the bureau expects an influx of tourists a few days before Christmas.

“All counters are manned, and passengers are processed within the 45-second international standard,” Tansingco said in a statement, noting that all employees of the Bureau of Immigration are barred from going on leave during the holidays.

He added that the e-gates, which will decrease the processing time to as low as eight seconds for Filipino travelers, are also operational.

According to Tansingco, the BI’s Port Operations Division processes around 35,000 daily arrivals and around 29,000 departures for all international airports.

At the local seaports, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitored 907,429 outbound passengers and 797,404 incoming passengers from Dec. 15 to 21 through its “Oplan Byaheng Ayos: Pasko 2022.”

The PCG said it deployed 2,084 frontline personnel in 15 district offices and inspected 499 vessels and 563 motorized bancas.

It also urged passengers to coordinate with them through its official Facebook page or through the Coast Guard Public Affairs hotline 0927-560-7729 as it advised them to visit the port areas earlier than their scheduled trips and avoid bringing prohibited items for a smooth trip.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is also on alert and ready for the surge in passengers in all ports around the country for the Christmas holiday weekend.

The Manila North Harbor Port Inc. (NorthPort) also prepared for the expected rise in passenger volume in North Harbor.

Melchor Espiritu, NorthPort passenger terminal officer, said they service 500 to 800 passengers a day for trips from the Manila terminal to Bacolod, Palawan and Cebu ports as well as 800 to 1,000 passengers for ships on routes to Dumaguete, Dipolog and Zamboanga cities.

Genaro Mancio, PPA police superintendent, said they have armed their 355 port policemen with body-worn cameras to intensify anti-criminality and peace and order enforcement in all ports around the country. –  Rudy Santos, Rainier Allan Ronda