Immigration chief: Temporary suspension of passenger, commercial flights ‘necessary sacrifice’

The temporary suspension of passenger and commercial flights to and from the Philippines is a "necessary sacrifice" to further slow down the transmission of the coronavirus, the chief of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Monday.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said "the move is essential in further slowing down the spread of the virus, as well as giving the country more time to increase our capacities in managing this disease."

The bureau said it expects a further decrease in arrivals and departures, which it said were already a "far cry" from numbers in regular operations. In April, the BI recorded 41,249 arrivals, mostly Filipinos including repatriated workers; and 23,187 departures, mostly foreigners who went back to their home countries.

The BI used to see more than half a million arrivals and departures per month, Morente said.

The Manila International Airport Authority said passenger and commercial flights to and from the Philippines are temporarily suspended starting May 3. Cargo flights, those carrying medical supplies, utility and maintenance flights will continue.

Under travel guidelines released by Malacañang last week, land, air or sea travel by uniformed personnel and government officials and employees for official business, with the corresponding travel authority, especially those transporting medical supplies and laboratory specimens related to COVID-19, and other relief and humanitarian assistance, will be allowed.

Morente stressed that travel restrictions are still in place. Only Filipinos, their foreign spouse and children, and diplomats are allowed to enter the country; and only foreign nationals, overseas Filipino workers, permanent resident and student visa holders abroad are allowed to leave. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News