MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed its personnel on full force as the Holy Week travel rush peaks, with an estimated 45,000 departing international passengers daily expected in the country’s major airports.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said on Wednesday it is “all hands on deck” for immigration officers, with additional front-line personnel deployed and support units mobilized to ensure smooth and efficient processing of passengers.
“We are expecting heavy passenger volume throughout the Holy Week period, with a possibility of daily departures reaching up to 45,000. All our officers are on full alert to ensure that operations remain orderly and efficient,” Viado said.
He urged passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled flight so as not to miss flights amid the expected congestion.
“This is the peak of the Holy Week exodus. We expect some queues at the airports because of the sheer number of travelers, but we commit to full deployment for a manageable airport experience for passengers,” Viado said.
Beware of scammers
Travelers are warned against scammers taking advantage of the travel surge by operating fraudulent websites that charge fees for the government’s electronic travel declaration system or eTravel.
Viado said registration in the eTravel platform is free.
“The eTravel registration process is absolutely free. We strongly advise the public to register only through the official government website at etravel.gov.ph,” he said.
He urged travelers to be vigilant against fake websites and online entities that require payment.
“These are clear cases of fraud. The public should not fall victim to these schemes, especially during the holiday rush,” Viado said.
Passengers who encounter such fraudulent activities are encouraged to report them to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) through its official website.
Travelers may also accomplish their eTravel registration through the national government’s eGovPH super app. (PNA)