The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday urged government employees, foreign nationals and parents of unaccompanied minors to secure all necessary travel documents in advance to avoid airport delays.

BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a statement that immigration counters will be adequately staffed, and more frontline officers have been deployed to major international airports to manage the expected increase in passenger volume.

He cited that this action aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve public service delivery and streamline government processes.

“We have reinforced our deployment to guarantee effective service for the traveling public throughout Holy Week. But travelers still have a responsibility to arrive early and obtain the required travel documentation in advance,” Viado said.

The agency also reminded foreign nationals who have stayed in the Philippines for over six months to obtain Emigration Clearance Certificates from BI offices before their departure. Registered foreigners with ACR I-Cards can secure reentry permits at the BI One-Stop-Shop at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or any BI office.

Unaccompanied minors are required to obtain a travel clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Filipino government officials must present a travel approval from their department heads when traveling overseas, even for personal reasons.

Viado stressed that processing these documents ahead of time “significantly reduces queuing time” at the airport, helping to alleviate overall congestion.