Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)– Leaves of immigration personnel in airports and other ports of entry nationwide are canceled on Nov. 15 until Jan. 15 to make sure manpower is enough during the Christmas season, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Thursday.
“We have to see to it that our counters at the airports are fully manned during the holidays when there is a tremendous volume of international passengers arriving and departing at the airports,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement, noting that it is the time of the year when people come home to spend the holidays with families.
The two-month no leave applies to BI personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, airports in Clark, Mactan, Davao, Kalibo, as well as the Zamboanga international seaport.
Tansinco said this will make sure that the bureau will be prepared before, during, and after the Christmas season, noting that the influx has begun before the beginning of Undas.
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He said the BI has observed more entry of overseas Filipino worers and balikbayans, as well as foreigners leaving.
