BI officers on alert for Lent

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed on heightened alert its officers at international airports and seaports for the influx of travelers during the Lenten break.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said he has ordered the deployment of more than 50 BI agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to beef up the number of personnel manning the immigration booths at the arrival and departure areas.

“I have also directed our Port Operations Division (POD) to implement stricter measures in screening arriving and departing passengers and to ensure that enough manpower is available to service the needs of the travelers,” Morente said.

BI-POD chief Grifton Medina said he issued a memorandum banning BI airport personnel, including the terminal heads and duty supervisors, from going on leave from April 8 to 22.

“Except for emergency reasons, no applications for vacation leave will be entertained or acted upon during the 10-day period,” Medina said.