The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has pledged its full support for major reforms underway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), following the signing of a tripartite agreement with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). The partnership aims to decongest airport traffic and enhance passenger experience through a series of modernization efforts.
The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize government services and attract investment by improving key infrastructure. In response, the BI committed to bolstering its frontline operations by increasing personnel, expanding the use of automated systems, and offering better incentives to its workforce.
“The President’s instruction is clear: deliver fast, efficient, and world-class service at our airports,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado. “We’re answering that call by reinforcing our ranks, extending the use of e-gates, and improving compensation packages to attract top-tier talent into public service.”
Under the new agreement, MIAA will provide funding for immigration officers’ overtime pay at NAIA, addressing previous staffing shortages caused by low wages and high attrition.
This will allow the BI to deploy more officers at key bottlenecks during peak travel hours. Additionally, more e-gates will be installed later this year to expedite processing for eligible passengers, significantly reducing wait times.
The DOTr has authorized funding support for overtime work not covered by the national budget, helping address long-standing resource constraints at the bureau.
The BI said improved benefits and career growth opportunities are crucial in recruiting and retaining skilled personnel who are essential to effective and secure border management.
“Immigration officers are the first and last point of contact for investors and tourists entering and leaving our country,” said Viado. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that their journey begins and ends on a positive, seamless, and dignified note.”
The bureau also reaffirmed its commitment to helping MIAA meet global airport service standards, including international aviation and border security protocols. Upgrades in training, digital systems, and inter-agency collaboration form part of the BI’s broader modernization agenda.
“This partnership represents our shared vision of transforming NAIA and other international gateways into models of efficiency and national pride,” Viado added. “Together, through strong collaboration and decisive reforms, we are shaping an immigration service worthy of a Bagong Pilipinas.”