BI readies for influx of international passengers as Philippines eases pandemic curbs

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) is now preparing for an inflow of arriving worldwide passengers following the federal government’s resolution to reopen the nation to international vacationers and ease quarantine restrictions beginning February 10.

Commissioner Jaime Morente assured that the company has adequate manpower to deal with the amount of arriving international vacationers.

“We proceed to function at full capability within the airports as we anticipate a rise in worldwide flights and passengers within the subsequent few weeks,” Morente assured.

As a part of its preparation, the BI mentioned a reserve group has been fashioned in case there can be a must deploy extra personnel to help immigration frontliners.

“To deal with a sudden or uncommon improve in passenger quantity now we have fashioned a reserve group of immigration officers from different BI officers who can be tapped to enhance and help our frontliners on the airport if the necessity arises,” BI mentioned.

The BI chief famous that some 400 BI personnel who earlier examined constructive for the virus or have gone on isolation and quarantine have already returned to work.

Most of those personnel are assigned on the  Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport (Naia).

“We’re prepared and now we have the accessible manpower to handle this projected improve in passenger quantity in our airports,” Morente mentioned, whereas noting a sudden decline within the variety of immigration officers who’re nonetheless contaminated with the Covid-19 virus.

As of January 31, BI mentioned there are solely 23 immigration officers assigned on the airports which can be nonetheless recovering from Covid-19.

Out of the quantity, 14 are stationed at Naia, 4 on the Clark airport, two in Mactan, two in Kalibo, and one in Davao.

Beneath the most recent decision issued by the Inter-Company Job Pressure on the Administration of Rising Infectious Illnesses (IATF), incoming totally vaccinated international vacationers are once more allowed to enter the nation with out a visa for 30 days.

Because the begin of the pandemic in 2020, the Philippines had closed its borders to vacationers, permitting solely foreigners with legitimate Philippine visas to enter.