BI ready for holiday passenger surge

MANILA, Philippines — In anticipation of the influx of passengers during the Christmas season, Bureau of Immigration personnel assigned at ports nationwide are barred from going on leave, BI Commissioner Norman Tansincgo announced yesterday.

Tansingco said the bureau imposed a “no holiday break” policy beginning on Wednesday to ensure adequate manpower to serve travelers during the holiday season.

The BI will not approve applications for vacation leave for two months or until Jan. 15, 2024.

“This is the time of the year when there is a surge of passengers at airports as overseas Filipino workers and balikbayans spend the holidays with their families in the Philippines,” Tansingco said.

The vacation ban applies to all BI personnel deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as airports in Clark, Mactan, Davao, Kalibo and Zamboanga.