Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado on Sunday reassured the traveling public that during the holiday season, frontline personnel are fully staffed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and all other ports of entry and departure across the country.

On Sunday afternoon, Viado personally inspected NAIA operations and confirmed that preparations are already in place for the expected surge of travelers.

The BI chief stressed that all frontline officers were not allowed to go on leave between 15 December 2024 and 15 January 2025 to optimize manpower during the busiest season.

He explained that the prohibition applies to all BI port personnel, including those working at the NAIA, the airports at Clark, Mactan, Davao, and Kalibo, as well as the international seaport of Zamboanga.

Additionally, Viado directed all port terminal managers to ensure that every counter is staffed to capacity and to urge arriving passengers to use the e-gates to save processing time.

The BI chief disclosed that to support frontline operations at the airports, they sent over thirty more officers. They also have mobile counters in place to assist in processing should there be a buildup of travelers.