The Bureau of Immigration logo is superimposed over the airport scene. INQUIRER.net FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday said they will deploy more personnel in major airports nationwide to prepare for the surge of travelers this upcoming Holy Week.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said 155 additional immigration officers will serve Clark International Airport and Terminals 1, 2, and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“We have deployed additional personnel to service travelers during the holy week, when we expect a significant rise in travelers,” Tansingco said in a statement.
The Bureau expects that around 40,000 passengers will arrive and depart the country daily beginning next week.
The Holy Week Celebration will begin on April 2 to April 8.
More immigration officers
Meanwhile, Tansingco said that the bureau is processing the hiring of more than 140 additional immigration officers to be deployed in different airports within the year.
The official also said NAIA Terminal 3 airport authorities also vowed to expand the immigration area “to really ease up the congestion.”
“Right now the area is small, but once expanded, we will be able to add more counters and more immigration officers to service departing passengers,” he said.
The recent spate of pledges for improvements comes in light of reports of delays due to BI’s departure protocols and procedures, which the bureau said has been done to address “worsening” human trafficking incidents. —MJ Soriano, trainee