BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Chief Jaime Morente on Sunday, September 16, instructed his personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports to be ready to render extended working hours as it braces for an influx of passengers after Typhoon Ompong has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Several airports have shut down its operations since Saturday, September 15, due to the impact of Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut).

“A lot of flights arriving and leaving the Philippines have been cancelled due to the bad weather," said Morente, adding that "We expect that the number of travelers will surge once normal flight operations resume."

The immigration officers are further advised to bring toiletries and extra uniforms in anticipation of rendering extra hours of duty or being stranded due to heavy rains.

Ompong is the strongest typhoon to hit the county this year. It made landfall in Cagayan last Saturday morning, September 15, and has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on the evening of the same day. (SunStar Philippines)