No ‘Merry Christmas’ at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - Government workers deployed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were reminded yesterday that a ban on greeting passengers “Merry Christmas” is still in effect.

The reminder applies to frontliners from the Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Collector Edgar Macabeo, of the BOC’s District 3, said customs officers should just greet passengers with a warm smile. 

 “Even if you are sincere, it might be misconstrued as asking for a tip,” Macabeo said.

However, the Manila International Airport Authority, which runs the airport, said their personnel may greet passengers “Merry Christmas” as long as the greeting is not meant to ask for money or goods.