No holiday break for BI port personnel

The Bureau of Immigration on Thursday revealed that all BI personnel stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and all other international ports of entry across the country are prohibited from taking leaves beginning 15 November.

BI commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the move is to guarantee that there is enough personnel that will cater to the traveling public before, during and after the holiday season.

He stressed that there will be no applications for vacation leave accepted or approved during the two months that the leave ban is in place, which ends on 15 January.

"This is the time of year when there is always an upsurge and influx of passengers and other international ports as Filipinos abroad, mostly overseas Filipino workers, balikbayans, or former Filipinos, would spend the holidays with their families or relatives here," Tansingco said.

He added that the ban applies to all BI port personnel, such as those deployed at the NAIA; the airports in Clark, Mactan, Davao, and Kalibo; and the Zamboanga international seaport.