MORE than 400 immigration officers were reshuffled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as part of the bureau’s measure to strengthen security and provide efficient service to the public ahead of the Christmas season.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said some of the immigration officers will be transferred to their newly designated duty assignments in any one of the three terminals of the Naia.
“We have already addressed basic weaknesses or chokepoints in the essential services of the Bureau of Immigration. We are now embarking on a service efficiency program, especially in the light of the coming holiday season,” Morente said.
The BI chief said the assignments of immigration officers at the Naia will be rotated every three to four months or as the need arises.
“This rotation policy intends to provide new challenges to our personnel as well as prevent fraternization among airport personnel which has been pinpointed as a major source of corruption not only in our bureau but in other government agencies as well,” Morente said.
He also revealed that aside from immigration officers, BI intelligence agents assigned at the Naia will also be reshuffled in line with the said policy.
Meanwhile, Morente disclosed that a new batch of 40 newly hired immigration officers will be reporting to the NAIA this week to augment the number of BI personnel manning the immigration arrival and departure counters at the premiere port.
He said the fresh recruits have just completed their two-month training on immigration laws, rules and procedures at the Philippine Immigration Academy in Clark Field, Pampanga and will now be doing their On-the Job training in the said terminals.
Three weeks ago, Morente also issued personnel orders reassigning to the Naia some 30 immigration officers who were recalled from their posts at the BI main office and other field offices throughout the country.
According to the BI chief, the number of BI personnel at the Naia was beefed up in anticipation of the influx and exodus of international passengers at the airport during the upcoming Christmas holiday season.
“In fact, we have already issued strict orders prohibiting our immigration officers at the Naia from going on leave during the holiday season in order to reduce, if not eliminate, the queues of passengers in our counters during this period,” he added.