Immigration beefs up NAIA contingent

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday said it had deployed 20 newly hired immigration officers to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to address the increasing volume of international travelers.

This developed amid continuing complaints of long queues and poor service at the NAIA.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said in a statement the 20 new officers were among 35 bureau employees who were recently hired or promoted to permanent positions in the agency by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

The commissioner said the applicants passed a rigid screening process, including written tests and panel interviews, on top of a month-long training at the agency’s academy in Clark Field, Pampanga.

“We want to make sure the employees we hire and promote are the best and brightest so that we can finally attain our vision of having a highly competent and professional rank and file,” he said.

David said the bureau was still screening thousands of applicants for about a hundred positions for immigration officer. Jerome Aning