MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other major ports in the country will not be allowed to go on leave until next week, an immigration official said Thursday.
Citing a memorandum, Atty. Carlos Capulong of BI Port Operations Division said all applications for vacation leave for the period of April 7 until April 15 are deemed denied.
Also canceled are applications for authority to travel abroad by any immigration staff assigned at the airports.
Capulong said this is to ensure that adequate personnel is on hand to serve the traveling public during the Catholic community’s Lenten season.
He said the directive, which was affirmed by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, was issued in anticipation of the influx of travelers during this season.
“Normally, there is always a rise in the volume of arriving passengers before the Holy Week and increase in the number of departing passengers after the Lenten break,” Capulong said.
He explained it is imperative that the BI continues to operate at full work capacity at the airports, or its services to the passenger public will be compromised.
Capulong also observed that the number of arriving passengers at the international ports continued to steadily climb since the country opened its borders to foreign tourists last month.
Aside from the NAIA, international flights are also served at the airports in Mactan, Clark, and Davao.
BI statistics show that passenger arrivals at the airports are now averaging between 13,000 to 15,000 daily since a week ago, compared to only 6,000 to 9,000 a month ago.
Last April 1, the government decided to open the country to all foreign nationals, provided they comply with immigration entry requirements and prescribed health protocols.
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