BI downsizes work force, moves all operations to NAIA Terminal 1
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday announced that it has downsized its workforce and scaled-down its operations due to flight cancellations and travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.
All offices and operations at NAIA Terminals 2 and 3 will also be moved to Terminal 1, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.
The move was in line with the announcement made by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) that it had streamlined its operations, and will concentrate remaining flights at the NAIA Terminal 1.
The BI has also assigned a skeleton workforce at the NAIA following the downscaling of operations, Morente added.
The skeleton workforce will be enough to “ensure the uninterrupted delivery of immigration services to the traveling public,” the BI Commissioner added.
“This would enable our personnel to lessen the risk of getting infected by this virus,” Morente pointed out.
Article continues after this advertisementBI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina, meanwhile, stated that all immigration officers assigned to NAIA’s three terminals will temporarily be assigned to the airport’s Terminal 1 until normal flight operations resume.
Article continues after this advertisementBI officers manning NAIA’s immigration counters are also now on a skeleton force, Medina added.
“We are now fully compliant with the requirements of the enhanced community quarantine wherein government employees are enjoined to maintain a minimum number of employees without compromising the delivery of services to the public,” the BI port operations division chief said.
Luzon is currently placed under enhanced community quarantine due to rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
Under an enhanced community quarantine, “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”
/MUF
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