BI on full force for Holy Week exodus; warns travelers vs. fake eTravel sites

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed all its personnel on full deployment as the Holy Week travel rush intensifies, with up to 45,000 international passengers expected to depart daily from the country’s major airports.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency has adopted an “all hands on deck” approach, mobilizing additional frontline officers and support units to manage the anticipated surge in travelers.

“We are expecting heavy passenger volume throughout the Holy Week period, with a possibility of daily departures reaching up to 45,000,” Viado said. “All our officers are on full alert to ensure that operations remain orderly and efficient.”

The BI chief urged passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled flights, warning that long queues are likely due to the volume of travelers.

“This is the peak of the Holy Week exodus. We expect some queues at the airports because of the sheer number of travelers, but we commit to full deployment for a manageable airport experience,” he said, adding that early arrival and completing travel requirements ahead of time would help avoid delays.

Amid the travel rush, the BI also issued a warning against fraudulent websites posing as official platforms for the government’s electronic travel declaration system, or eTravel.

Viado stressed that registration through the official portal, eTravel System Philippines, is free of charge.

“The eTravel registration process is absolutely free. We strongly advise the public to register only through the official government website,” he said.

He cautioned travelers against online entities that charge registration fees, describing them as “clear cases of fraud.” He then urged the public to remain vigilant.

Passengers who encounter suspicious websites or transactions are encouraged to report them to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) through its official channels.

The BI also reminded travelers that they may complete their eTravel registration via the government’s eGovPH super app to streamline the process.

“Our priority is to provide seamless service despite the surge in passengers. We ask for the public’s cooperation as we work to ensure safe and orderly travel for everyone this Holy Week,” Viado said.