|
Thursday, March 20, 2008
BI prepares for high tourist influx this summer
MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has suspended the grant of vacation leaves on all immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in anticipation of the high tourist influx in the summer season.
"We cannot simply let our guards down. We assure the traveling public that we are fully prepared for the onslaught of the big volume of arriving and departing passengers this summer season," BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Libanan instructed all immigration officers and agents not only in Naia but also in other major ports to be vigilant to prevent undesirable foreigners from taking advantage of the summer rush.
However, he warned human trafficking syndicates saying immigration officers are now very adept not only in detecting fraudulent travel documents but also in profiling passengers who are likely to become potential problems to the country's security.
Earlier, the bureau deployed 24 more immigration officers (IOs) to Naia, beefing up to 249 the existing workforce.
Libanan noted that in case of extreme passenger traffic, all immigration personnel are ready to assist them. There are 11 immigration counters at the arrival area and 10 at the departure area.
"During peak hours, each IO attends to an average of 600 passengers, doubling our target of 300 per IO per day," he said. (FP/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (March 20, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Communist rebels kill village chief