BI on alert for SEA Games, holiday exodus

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the directive as they expect the surge of Filipino and foreign travelers in the coming weeks. (File Photo: Bureau of Immigration, Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA — Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel are now on heightened alert in connection with the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) as well as the holiday rush.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the directive as they expect the surge of Filipino and foreign travelers in the coming weeks.

“We are expecting up to a 3-percent increase in arrivals and departures this holiday season. We are certain that there will be more tourists and balikbayans who will be flying in this Christmas,” he said in a statement.

“Even more now that the SEA Games will be held in the country, we are projecting an added 8,000 delegates including athletes, media, technical officials, volunteers, fans, and audiences,” Morente said.

BI records show there are over 1.5 million passenger arrivals in December 2018 alone while more than 1.2 million left.

Morente said majority of them are overseas Filipino workers and Filipinos living abroad, who come home to celebrate the holiday season.

“Christmas is probably the biggest and most anticipated holiday for our kababayan, hence it’s really part of the Filipino culture to want to be home for the holidays,” he added.

Meanwhile, BI Port Operations Division chief Grifton Medina said they are again enforcing the “no leave, no absences” policy during the said occasions.

“Our men have been instructed not to go on leave during the peak season to maximize our manpower,” he said.

The BI official also urged travelers to arrive early, at least three hours before their flight and appealed to bear with buildups.

The appeal was issued after a video of long lines at the Mactan Cebu International Airport made rounds on social media.

“It was an isolated incident. Sudden buildups sometimes happen especially when there are delayed flights that arrive simultaneously, as in the case of the viral video,” he said.

“We appeal to everyone to bear with us should there be some build-up, which sometimes happen during peak seasons. But you can be assured that processing is now much faster following the numerous improvements we have implemented in our international ports,” Medina added.

Earlier, the BI hired more than 600 immigration officers to augment its manpower.

Medina also reported the installation of e-gates, which lessens the processing by almost six times, lowering the regular 45 seconds to at least eight seconds.

“Our goal is to provide fast and smooth immigration inspection for the SEA Games and the upcoming Yuletide season,” he said.

The biennial regional sports event will be held in the country from November 30 to December 11.