BI downgrades onsite workforce to 30% as COVID-19 infections rise

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday announced that it downgraded its onsite workforce to 30% from January 13 to 22.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the reduced workforce was implemented due to rising COVID-19 infections among personnel.

Morente said he sought the approval of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to lower the number of onsite employees in compliance with directives from the Palace.

“We thank Secretary Menardo Guevarra for considering our plight and approving our request to temporarily downgrade our workforce amidst this surge,” Morente said in a statement.

“The high number of BI personnel getting sick with COVID-19 is really affecting our operations,” he added.

All BI offices will continue to open during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. despite the reduced onsite workforce, according to Morente.

He also assured that employees working offsite shall observe the guidelines for applicable alternative work arrangements as set by the Civil Service Commission.

Meanwhile, Morente said fully vaccinated clients are exempted from the Bureau’s Online Appointment System, upon presentation of their vaccination card or certification.

However, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated clients are advised to continue securing their appointment online via https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/.

“Our frontliners are getting sick, but we will make sure that the delivery of our services remain unhampered,” Morente said.

The BI earlier reported 251 active cases among its personnel, of which 135 are assigned at the airport, 91 at the BI’s office in Intramuros, while 25 come from other BI offices.

It added that a total of 269 of their airport personnel are quarantined and awaiting results of their COVID-19 testing. — Richa Noriega/RSJ, GMA News