Immigration: No reduction of personnel in PH ports

CLARK FREEPORT --- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) assured the traveling public of uninterrupted service as there will be no reduction in the work schedule of its manpower deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other ports, including Clark International Airport amid the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the country.

“There will be no diminution in the duty days of our port personnel as we are duty-bound to ensure that all international travelers who enter and exit our borders get the most efficient and hassle-free immigration service from our officers,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The BI chief directed Carlos Capulong, BI Acting Port Operations Division (POD) Chief, to maintain the present work scheme and schedule of immigration personnel assigned at the airports.

“In the past several weeks, we have seen a steady increase in the volume of international passengers entering and exiting our airports, thus it would only be prudent to keep our current manpower to ensure smooth and seamless service to the traveling public,” Morente said.

He stressed the need for all BI port personnel to strictly follow prescribed health protocols, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while on duty in order to protect themselves against the new Omicron variant that is fast spreading in Metro Manila and other regions of the country.

Capulong said that under previous resolutions passed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFMEID), government personnel involved in border control operations such as BI officers are allowed to operate at full capacity.

Capulong also bared that the BI has just procured and distributed new PPEs for its frontline officers at the airports, which should be worn while on duty at the immigration countera, and when clearing special flights at the airport’s remote parking areas.

Earlier, the BI announced that it will be observing a sixty-percent on-site work capacity from January 3 to 15 at its main building in Intramuros, Manila and other satellite, field and extension offices in the metropolis.

The Bureau said the move was in compliance with the approved recommendation from the IATFMEID to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3.

(Contributed photo) NOTICE TO VACATE. SBMA officials prepare the final notice to be served to the Filipino Farmers Center Internazionale and at least 11 of its members for them to vacate areas they have allegedly illegally occupied along the northeast periphery of the Subic Bay Freeport.