The Bureau of Immigration announced that it has canceled the leaves of BI officers assigned to the various international ports which started on 15 November to ensure that there is sufficient staff available to service the traveling public throughout the Christmas season.

BI commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the prohibition on vacation days from 15 November to 15 January was put in place to ensure that the BI can continue to provide services to foreign visitors who are anticipated to enter and leave the country in large numbers before, during and after the Christmas holiday.

Tansingco added that passenger volumes at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have already started to peak, not only due to the approaching holiday season but also in view of the gradual easing of restrictions imposed on foreign and Filipino travelers during the pandemic.

The BI chief said the ban on leave by BI port personnel aims to avert long queues at the airports during the Yuletide season, when there is always a significant increase in passengers who enter and exit our country.