The airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have been placed under heightened alert in anticipation of the surge in the number of travelers this holiday season.
This is in line with the Department of Transportation’s program dubbed Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Pasko 2020, which is running until Jan. 5, 2021.
CAAP chief information officer and spokesman Eric Apolonio said security measures and the maximum deployment of service and security personnel were now being observed in all 12 airports nationwide to ensure safe, reliable and convenient airport operations as migrant Filipinos, civilians and tourists arrive.
The government earlier granted visa-free entry privileges to tourists under the Balikbayan Program beginning Dec. 17.
Resolution 85 of the Inter Agency Task Force on Infectious Diseases allows the visa-free entry of ‘Balikbayans’. This visa-free privilege also applies to the foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, provided they travel with the Filipino nationals.
Apolonio says concerned government agencies operating at the airports, including the Office of Transportation Security and the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group, have deployed personnel to ensure smooth passenger flow.
Those personnel are enforcing the new normal minimum health protocols such as the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields, social distancing, temperature checks and the provision of foot baths, hand sanitizing stations and routine disinfection and inspection of airport facilities.
Apolonio said with new protocols and requirements brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CAAP was urging passengers to be ready to present valid health forms and other requirements to avoid inconvenience.
Passengers are also reminded to download the Traze app ahead of their arrival at the airport for faster scanning of QR codes in entry/exit points and designated areas.
Additionally, travelers are also reminded not to bring prohibited items to the airport.
The CAAP has regularly prepared for the increase in passenger influx during the yuletide season.
On Dec. 1 to 31 last year, the CAAP airports recorded 2.5 million domestic and international passengers and a total of 29.2 million passengers.