QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Bureau of Immigration will assign an additional 171 Immigration officers to airports all over the country for the long vacation.
Bureau of Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente issued the directive on Monday to address the manpower shortage and long lines in the airports because of mass leaves and resignations by immigration officials.
“He ordered the additional deployment of 171 immigration personnel during the holidays. If there is still a need to continue, it might extend,” BI spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang said referring to the directive of Immigration commissioner Morente.
According to Mangrobang, the 171 immigration officers will be composed of division, section and unit chiefs, and immigration officers at the BI main office in Intramuros and subports, and other immigration personnel who would address the shortage these coming holidays.
“These are immigration officers, intelligence officers so they are also very familiar with the operations at the airport,” Mangrobang said.
According Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aquirre II, different airports all over the country are now facing mass resignations and leaves of absence of immigration officers due to the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop the payment for their overtime work.
Of the 171 Immigration officers, 150 would be assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the remainder will be sent to international airports in Clark, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo.