BI-NAIA on full ops amid ECQ

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) assured that its operations in all terminals of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will remain uninterrupted despite the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila starting Friday.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said they will be working at full capacity to help assist inbound and outbound passengers.

“We will continue to operate at full capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to ensure that our services are not hampered and adequate manpower is available to serve passengers arriving and departing at our premiere port,” he said in a statement.

The BI chief added that airport personnel are not covered by the government’s directive instructing offices under the executive branch in the National Capital Region (NCR) to reduce the number of employees in their offices to only 30-50 percent of their operational capacity.

On the other hand, lawyer Carlos Capulong, BI port operations chief, said they will be activating their shuttle service for its NAIA personnel during the ECQ period to allow them to report for work and go home after their duty.

He added that personnel assigned to the NAIA will continue to observe the same work scheme and schedule that was followed prior to the implementation of the ECQ.

“We always remind our airport personnel to adhere to minimum health protocols to protect themselves against this virus. Our duty to the traveling public always comes first, hence we have to make this sacrifice,” the BI official said.

He added that officers at the airport are always on heightened alert in ensuring that existing restrictions on international travel are observed and only those who are eligible to travel to the Philippines are allowed entry.

Meanwhile, the bureau also reminded international passengers that the travel ban against 10 countries — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, is still in effect until August 15.

Capulong added that passengers who have been to said countries or have a travel history there within the last 14 days prior to arrival will not be allowed to enter the Philippines.