Greet travelers, but don’t accept gifts, BI officers told

MANILA, Philippines — Frontline officers of the Bureau of Immigration are now permitted to extend holiday greetings to incoming and outgoing travelers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said yesterday.

Viado allowed the BI employees to greet passengers this Christmas, regardless of their faith and background.

“Filipinos are known worldwide for their warmth and hospitality, especially during the holiday season,” he said. 

“Greeting is not just about spreading joy; it’s about showing the world the Filipino way of celebrating – with warmth, respect and inclusivity. It’s a simple gesture that reflects our identity as a people,” Viado added.

However, he reminded travelers that BI officers are not allowed to receive gifts or tokens.

“A simple smile or greeting to our officers when they work tirelessly to provide service to travelers would cheer them up, especially during holidays when they sacrifice time with their families to report for work,” Viado said.

The BI is expecting around 110,000 arrivals and departures daily during the holiday exodus.

The agency also encouraged passengers to arrive early at the airports and cooperate with immigration protocols to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.

Viado said all BI frontline personnel have been on deck since Dec. 15 and were prohibited from going on leave until Jan. 15, to attend to the expected surge of passengers.

The ban applies to all BI port personnel, including those assigned at the NAIA and airports of Clark, Mactan, Davao and Kalibo and at the Zamboanga International Seaport.

Viado directed the BI terminal heads at NAIA to ensure that all counters are fully manned and to encourage arriving travelers to utilize the e-gates to shorten the processing time.

He also said they fielded more than 30 additional BI officers to augment frontline operations at the airports.

“We put in place mobile counters to help in processing should there be a buildup in travelers,” Viado said. — Rudy Santos