BI eyes more e-gates to replace manual counters
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is eyeing the replacement of its manual counters at the airports with electronic gates or e-gates to increase the efficiency of its operations and to speed up the processing of travelers.
“E-gates are now the standard in most countries. We want things faster and more efficient, to better improve the experience of our travelers,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
He said the e-gates, which were similar to those used in advanced countries, could lessen processing time from 45 seconds to eight seconds per passenger.
E-gates use facial recognition, biometric scanning and other electronic security checks. Tansingco said the BI currently follows a 45-second immigration processing time for travelers.
Currently, there are only 21 e-gates at the arrival area in major international airports nationwide, with majority at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
