MANILA, Philippines — Almost 62,000 passengers arrived in the Philippines over the weekend for Christmas, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Monday.
On Christmas Eve alone, a total of 32,000 arrivals – mainly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) – were logged, according to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
On Sunday, Christmas Day (December 25), a total of 28,968 arrivals were recorded.
“This is significantly higher than the last two years. Noong mga nakaraang dalawang taon, medyo malungkot ang holiday seasons dahil wala halos bumabyahe due to travel restrictions imposed worldwide,” Sandoval said in a public briefing.
(This is significantly higher than the last two years. In the previous two years, the holiday seasons were somewhat bleak because almost no one traveled due to travel restrictions imposed worldwide.)
READ: DOTr: Increased travel due to ‘revenge’ Christmas parties, reunions
“Nakikita na natin uli ‘yung sigla at saya sa ating mga paliparan,” she added.
(We can now see our airports’ energy and fun again.)
Sandoval then assured the public that even if the number of arrivals increases, the immigration processing time will be quick.
“Sumusunod tayo sa international standards na 45 seconds processing time per person,” she said.
(We follow the international standard of 45 seconds of processing time per person.)
The Manila International Airport Authority earlier said that Naia is now in the middle of the Christmas holiday peak, recording 125,000 passengers a day.
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