Bureau of Immigration, Customs on alert for holidays

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureaus of Immigration (BI) and Customs (BOC) are on alert for the expected influx of people entering and leaving the country during the Christmas holidays.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente ordered the deployment of 56 additional immigration officers to various international airports starting this week, according to Grifton Medina, BI port operations division chief.

At least 19 of these immigration officers will report at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the 37 others were deployed to the airports in Clark, Mactan, Kalibo and Davao City.

“We are expecting a surge in the number of travelers entering the country on the second or third week of December as Christmas approaches,” Medina said.

Medina said the deployment of additional BI personnel and the opening of 21 immigration e-gates in major airports across the country during the holidays would cut the processing time of travelers.

“Our goal is to provide fast and smooth immigration inspection this Yuletide season... Our priority is our overseas Filipino workers,” he said.

Capt. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said PCG personnel were mobilized yesterday after a gradual increase in sea travelers was observed.

Admiral Elson Hermogino, PCG commandant, said PCG disaster response and quick reaction teams, including paramedics, rescue divers and K-9 units, are on standby to immediately respond to any situation. 

The PCG said it would monitor busy ports, such as those in Cebu, Batangas, Iloilo, Bicol and Zamboanga and those near famous beaches and diving resorts, such as Boracay, Coron in Palawan and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. – Evelyn Macairan