BI Enforces No Leave Policy for Port Personnel During Holiday Season

Manila, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced a no-leave policy for its personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other ports of entry nationwide from November 15, 2023, to January 15, 2024. This decision aims to ensure sufficient staffing during the busy holiday season.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 60-day period will see a suspension of vacation leave approvals to handle the expected surge in passenger traffic. Tansingco noted that this time of year typically sees an influx of passengers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Balikbayans, who return to the Philippines to spend holidays with family.

The policy applies to all BI port personnel, including those stationed at airports in Clark, Mactan, Davao, Kalibo, and the Zamboanga international seaport. Tansingco emphasized the need to fully staff immigration counters to facilitate efficient processing of the increased volume of international passengers.

This initiative follows reports of a significant rise in passenger arrivals and departures, with over 20 million passengers recorded from January to October 2023. Numbers are expected to rise further in the final months of the year.