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MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deployed a “full force” of personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and all other entry and exit points nationwide for the Christmas season.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said frontline personnel would not be allowed to take leave from December 15 to January 15 to “maximize the manpower during the peak season.”
The leave ban applies to all BI personnel stationed at airports, including Naia, Clark, Mactan-Cebu, Davao, and the Zamboanga International Seaport, Viado said.
According to the BI, Viado also inspected operations at NAIA to ensure readiness for the expected surge of passengers, fielding over 30 additional officers to support frontline operations at the airports.
“We also have in place mobile counters to help in processing should there be build-up in travelers,” Viado said.
The BI earlier reported that they expect around 110,000 travelers during the holiday season.
READ: Immigration braces for 110,000 holiday travelers
“We are expecting the numbers to further increase this year and we believe that it will now exceed pre-pandemic numbers,” Viado previously said in a statement.