The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reported that international passenger traffic during the Christmas holiday rush surpassed initial projections, with more than 61,000 people recorded across all international ports on Dec. 23.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Immigration officers processed a total of 49,176 international arrivals and 61,784 departures on a single day. Nationwide figures showed 61,658 inbounds and 66,655 outbounds.
The BI said the sustained increase in passenger volume reflected heightened holiday travel, but nonetheless, Immigration operations remained orderly and manageable.
While travelers may encounter short queues during peak hours, the bureau noted that processing continues to move efficiently.
To support smooth operations during the exodus, the BI deployed an additional 132 immigration officers nationwide and activated mobile immigration counters in high-traffic terminals.
Leaves and furloughs for frontline personnel were also temporarily suspended to ensure sufficient manpower throughout the peak season.
The bureau added that the continued use of electronic gates (e-gates) has significantly helped decongest Immigration counters, contributing to faster processing time for eligible travelers.
The BI also assured the public that it remains fully prepared to handle the holiday travel surge and is committed to providing secure, efficient, and passenger-friendly Immigration services throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
