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MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deployed a “full force” of personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and all other entry and exit points nationwide for the Christmas season.
The one-year Loan Prime Rate (LPR), which constitutes the benchmark for the most advantageous rates lenders can offer to businesses and households, was cut from 3.35 percent to 3.1.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said frontline personnel would not be allowed to take leave from December 15 to January 15 to “maximize the manpower during the peak season.”
Article continues after this advertisementThe leave ban applies to all BI personnel stationed at airports, including Naia, Clark, Mactan-Cebu, Davao, and the Zamboanga International Seaport, Viado said.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Iloilo International Airport shut down for emergency maintenance NEWSINFO Signal No. 1 in 2 Palawan areas as TD Romina heads for Kalayaan Islands NEWSINFO Phivolcs records 86 offshore quakes in Ilocos Sur Dec 17-22According to the BI, Viado also inspected operations at NAIA to ensure readiness for the expected surge of passengers, fielding over 30 additional officers to support frontline operations at the airports.
“We also have in place mobile counters to help in processing should there be build-up in travelers,” Viado said. The BI earlier reported that they expect around 110,000 travelers during the holiday season.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Immigration braces for 110,000 holiday travelers
pop the slots“We are expecting the numbers to further increase this year and we believe that it will now exceed pre-pandemic numbers,” Viado previously said in a statement.
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