The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is advocating for the replacement of the old-fashioned immigration counters with state-of-the-art electronic gates at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
This upgrade is expected to provide a much smoother travel experience for passengers using NAIA Terminal 1, with the new system anticipated to be in place by Christmas, also expected to ease the rush of travelers for the holiday.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday morning conducted an inspection of the terminal to review the progress of the modernization effort.
“Yung matagal na project ito na pinu-push natin,” Secretary Dizon explained.
“Mahigit sampung taon na kasi itong mga e-gates natin ngayon. Marami sa kanila nasisira na at luma na ang technology,” he added.
The main objective of the project is to replace 50% of the manual immigration counters with modern electronic gates by Christmas, coinciding with the peak travel season.
This upgrade will benefit both arriving and departing passengers, as currently, e-gates are only available for arrivals.
“Majority ng international passengers galing sa NAIA,” he said.
“Goal is by Christmas, napalitan na natin yung e-gates dito sa NAIA. Ang e-gates ngayon, both arrival and departure na rin,” he stressed.
The new system is expected to greatly reduce queuing times, providing a more efficient and less stressful experience for travelers, particularly Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who frequently travel abroad.
“Bawas hassle… Ilang minuto na lang to… Sa ibang banda napakabilis… So malaking bagay to sa travel experience lalo na sa OFWs,” Dizon explained.
The electronic gates will also remove the need for face-to-face interactions with immigration officers, further making the process easier for both the employees and the travelers.
The DOTr is coordinating closely with the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) to ensure a smooth transition from the old system to the new one.
This upgrade is also anticipated to positively impact tourism, improving the overall experience for both local and international travelers.
“Napakagandang balita nito sa tourist natin… Yun ang goal natin, gawing world class ang immigration experience ng both tourist and kababayan,” Dizon said.
Dizon’s inspection also focused on identifying places for additional infrastructures to make the transition easier.
