BI extends banning NAIA personnel from going on leave until Jan. 31, 2022 amid COVID-19 surge

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) extended the suspension of vacation leaves of personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) until January 31 to maximize its personnel in ports amid the rise of COVID-19 infections.

Lawyer Carlos Capulong, BI Port Operations Division (POD) chief, said the order took effect December 16 and was supposed to expire last January 15.

Capulong, however, noted that it was extended for two more weeks as the number of BI officers at the airport infected with COVID-19 increased in the past few days.

“The directive was necessary to ensure unhampered airport operations by the BI, amidst the increasing number of personnel who tested positive for the virus or are in quarantine,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“No application for leave during this period will be entertained or approved, and all filed leaves are hereby cancelled to ensure that we have enough personnel to service the traveling public,” he added.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente earlier announced that it downgraded its onsite workforce to 30% from January 13 to 22 due to rising COVID-19 infections among personnel.

A total of 138 BI personnel have tested positive for the virus, while an additional 129 employees remain in quarantine waiting for the results of their swab tests as of Monday.

Meanwhile, 99 other personnel tested negative and have already returned to work. — Richa Noriega/RSJ, GMA News