BI reshuffles Naia anti-trafficking personnel, eyes improved services

MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Immigration – Port Operations Division chief Grifton Medina on Sunday announced the reshuffling of 96 immigration intelligence officers and other employees assigned to the bureau’s border control and intelligence unit (BCIU) and stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in a bid to enhance services and curb corruption.

Medina said  BI chief Jaime Morente ordered the reshuffle of BCIU personnel, whose members monitor and profile alien passengers and assist other immigration officers in detecting suspected human trafficking victims.

“We are continuously reshuffling and rotating the assignments of our airport personnel to re-energize our workforce, eliminate boredom, and enable our employees to take on new tasks and responsibilities that will enable them to gain added experience and skills,” Medina said in a statement.

Medina noted that  BCIU personnel had been in their posts for nearly three years.

He added that the reshuffle was “overdue” as the agency had to wait for the lifting of the ban on the transfer of government employees, which was imposed during the recent midterm elections period.

“We’re planning to synchronize the movement of our BI officers and BCIU personnel the next time we implement our job rotation,” Medina said.

Recently, the BI also reshuffled its officials holding key positions at NAIA and two other airports as part of management’s thrust to revitalize operations. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

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