No mass exodus, leave of employees over unpaid OT work — BI

With this, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente reported that most of the immigration officers (IOs) assigned at the NAIA have been reporting for work, citing a report from the its port operations division showing a 95-percent daily attendance of their airport personnel. (Photo: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday denied reports stating a mass resignation or leave of immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) due to the non-payment of their overtime pay.

With this, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente reported that most of the immigration officers (IOs) assigned at the NAIA have been reporting for work, citing a report from the its port operations division showing a 95-percent daily attendance of their airport personnel.

“So far, only 36 immigration officers (IOs) have resigned since the start of the year and only a few have gone on leave for various reasons,” he said.

On the other hand, Morente is optimistic that a workable solution can be found to address the plight of BI employees relative to the augmentation of their salary.

He noted that the matter has already been referred to the Office of the President for his consideration.

At the same time, Morente appealed to the Palace to certify as urgent the bill enacting a new Philippine immigration law to replace the antiquated 1940 Immigration Act while lamenting that the basic pay of BI employees are too low that they could barely afford to shoulder the cost of their meals and transportation in going to work.

Meanwhile, BI Spokesperson Antonette Mangrobang revealed that the continued augmentation of BI manpower is pushing through with the deployment of some 170 personnel.

“Chief Port Operations Division Marc Red Mariñas will be recommending to Commissioner the continued augmentation until the 37 newly appointed immigration officers assumed office,” she said.

The BI official added that recruits, are either new or have been employed in the bureau and they will be undergoing training.