MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday assured uninterrupted service for international travelers in ports even amid rising cases of COVID-19.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that there will be no reduction in the work schedule of its staff deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other international ports.
“There will be no diminution in the duty days of our port personnel as we are dutybound to ensure that all international travelers who enter and exit our borders get the most efficient and hassle-free immigration service from our officers,” Morente said.
He disclosed that he has directed Atty. 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,” the BI chief added.
This came just a day after Morente announced that the BI will be observing a sixty-percent on-site work capacity from January 3 to 15 at its main office in Intramuros, Manila and other satellite, field and extension offices in the metropolis.
However, under previous resolutions passed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), Capulong said that government personnel involved in border control operations are allowed to operate at full capacity.
The country is currently experiencing a notable surge in COVID-19 infections, which was attributed by health officials to the holiday celebrations as well as the presence of the highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant.
Metro Manila is currently on alert level 3, along with Rizal, Bulacan, and Cavite in an effort to curb the further spread of the virus.
RELATED STORIES:
COVID-19 active cases in PH leap to 39,974 as 10,775 more contract virus
Metro Manila now at ‘critical risk’ for COVID-19 transmission – Duque
NCR reaches 40% positivity rate, ‘very high’ reproduction number — OCTA fellow