The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that it deployed an additional 50 immigration officers to enhance border control operations during the holiday season.

These officers are stationed at important places such as the international airports of Cebu, Bohol, Caticlan, and Clark. They have recently finished a shortened three-week Border Control Officers module.

In light of the anticipated 4 million arrivals and 3.8 million exits in the fourth quarter of 2023, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasizes the necessity of having a stronger staff over the holiday season.

Aside from mobilizing augmentation and fast reaction teams and introducing mobile counters to handle busy travel periods, the BI has also implemented measures to streamline the immigration procedure.

The BI chief also noted that during peak times, some waiting is expected but reassures travelers that it is tolerable and recommends arriving early for faster processing.

Tansingco said that they are fully prepared for the peak season and maximizing their manpower to better service the traveling public.

He added that in the last few days, the bureau has recorded about 32,000 average arrivals and 36,000 average departures.