The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will replace its manual counters with electronic gates to increase the efficiency of airports nationwide.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said it will take only at least 45 seconds of immigration processing time for travelers under the Guidelines on Advance Passenger Information published jointly by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
While the 45-second standard is intended for check-in counters for the manual keying of passenger data, the BI has committed and imposed upon itself to process passengers within the said period.
Tansingco said that the BI’s IT programs are lined up to further reduce the processing time without compromising national security. The procurement of e-gates has been included in the BI’s approved information systems strategic plan for 2024-2026.
The e-gates, similar to those used in advanced countries, can lessen processing time to as low as 8 seconds per passenger and would significantly reduce the processing time of travelers.
Currently, only 21 e-gates are distributed at the arrival area in major international airports nationwide, the majority of which are deployed at the NAIA. The BI is gearing up to procure additional e-gates starting in 2024 and expects that by 2026, a total of 43 e-gates will be installed nationwide.
The agency projects that the project will cost 1.9 billion, but is necessary to remain at par with international counterparts.
“E-gates are now the standard in most countries. We want things faster and more efficient, to better improve the experience of our travelers,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has informed the BI that effective September 3, Filipino fiancés, spouses, and other partners of foreign nationals holding tourist or other limited period of stay visas are no longer required to undergo the CFO guidance and counseling program (GCP).
The GCP was initially a requirement for Filipinos with foreign partners departing to meet or marry abroad.
“The Inter-agency is committed to continuously review departure requirements for departing Filipinos to adapt to current trends,” said Tansingco.
“The BI, as an implementing agency, is ready to implement changes in departure guidelines, as deemed fit by members of the inter-agency,” he added.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) aims to replace half of its manual counters with around PHP1.9 billion worth of electronic gates (e-gates) to lessen processing time to about eight seconds per passenger.
“E-gates are now the standard in most countries… We want things faster and more efficient to better improve the experience of our travelers,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement on Monday.
Tansingco said the plan is part of the agency’s approved 2024-2026 information systems strategic plan.
He said purchase of some 43 e-gates will be done in 2024 once the project’s requested budget is approved, with targeted installation completion targeted by 2026.
To date, there are only 21 e-gates installed in international airports around the country, most of which are installed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Meanwhile, Tansingco assured the public of full preparation for the influx of passengers during the holidays.
“‘Ber’ months are here again and because of this, we expect a higher number of arriving and departing passengers,” he said.
Tansingco disclosed the augmentation of immigration personnel, including the 108 newly-graduated BI officers, to all international airports.
He also assured the activation of the Rapid Response procedure during peak hours and critical periods, as well as the deployment of mobile counters, all of which are being made to address the country’s limited immigration spaces.