BI reverts to old working hours after Duterte reinstates overtime pay

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reverted to its old working hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., after President Rodrigo Duterte reinstated the overtime pay for the agency’s employees through a trust fund.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente on Thursday said the agency would resume charging express lane fees at airport to fund the overtime pay and salaries of the employees.

Morente said the working schedule was declared effective starting Wednesday, January 3, in the agency’s main office and all its satellite and field offices.

“Suklian natin ng matapat at taos pusong pagserbisyo ang tiwala na binigay ng Pangulo sa BI (Let us reciprocate with dedicated and sincere service the trust that the President bestowed on the BI),” Morente said during the agency’s flag ceremony.

Duterte ordered the creation of a trust fund as he recognized the role of BI employees in guarding the country’s ports, as well as their part in the government’s campaign against human trafficking, Morente said. /je