BI opens e-gates at NAIA, CLA for arriving OFWs

Filipino passengers may now pass through the e-gates installed at the immigration arrival areas of all three terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and at the Clark International Airport (CIA) in Angeles City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

The move, according to BI port operations chief Carlos Capulong, is to prioritize arriving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are expected to arrive this December.

Capulong said the reopening of the e-gates was ordered by Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente who wanted the project relaunched in time for the Christmas holiday break when an influx of international travelers is anticipated.

He said that Morente wanted the e-gates revived in order to assure returning Filipinos of faster immigration processing.

The e-gates cuts the processing time for passengers from the present 45 seconds to as low as eight seconds.

Launched in August 2018, the e-gates were in operation until March last year when the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic prompted the bureau to suspend the system.

The suspension was prompted by fears of possible exposure to Covid-19 by passengers whenever they have their fingers biometrically scanned by machines when passing the e-gates.

Capulong said they have implemented strict sanitation protocols to minimize contamination risks.

Apart from the relaunch of the e-gates, frontline personnel have been disallowed from filing vacation leaves during the holiday season.

Additional immigration officers have also been hired to augment manpower, and a rapid response team was activated to serve as added manpower should the need arises.

Morente said they expect increased passenger arrivals for the holiday season despite the travel restrictions due to Omicron variant of COVID-19.