More than 100 Immigration officials holding top posts at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other international airports and seaports nationwide were reshuffled in line with the bureau’s drive to improve services of the agency and avoid corruption.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra issued a Department Order directing the reshuffle of the 59 BI airport officials, 49 of whom are assigned at the three terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the rest are stationed at the Clark and Davao airports.
At the same time, Guevarra also reshuffled the Alien Control Officers in-charge of more than 40 BI offices nationwide.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that in compliance with Guevarra’s directive, he issued personnel orders instructing the concerned officials to report to their new assignments and assume their duties immediately.
“This revamp is long overdue. Many of the airport officials and have been in their posts for more than a year already while many ACOs have been in their jobs for more than five years,” said Morente.
“It’s time to give them new tasks so they can face new challenges and responsibilities. This is also to avoid familiarity and lax performance of duties,” the BI chief said.
BI OIC Deputy Commissioner Marc Red Mariñas welcomed the revamp, saying the reshuffle was primarily aimed to develop the career of the affected employees and enhance their performance and efficiency.
“It also prevents fraternization which breeds corruption and avert boredom that dampens morale and stifles growth in the organization,” said Mariñas, who heads the BI port operations.
BI Deputy Commissioner Tobias Javier said the BI was not only focused on beefing up its manpower at the international ports but also on developing the professional advancement of its workers all over the Philippines.
He disclosed the reshuffle affected all BI head supervisors and deputy head supervisors in-charge of the bureau’s operations at the Naia and Clark and Davao airports.
Heads and supervisors of the travel control and enforcement unit which conducts secondary inspection on travelers, and of the border control and intelligence unit, which performs intelligence and counter-intelligence activities at the airports, were likewise reshuffled.