BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in an earlier statement said that while no definite date has been decided when the Philippines accepts foreign tourists, he is confident that this will be very soon.
Morente said they are still awaiting the official announcement from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on the reopening of the Philippine borders to international leisure travelers.
“We have already put in place the needed manpower and facilities in preparation for this,” he added.
The BI announced earlier that frontline personnel have been banned from filing vacation leaves during the holiday season.
The Bureau also stated that 99 new immigration officers have been recently hired for deployment in the BI’s ports and different offices nationwide.
Morente confirmed the resumption of the use of e-gates for arriving Filipinos, adding it would greatly lessen the processing time for them who will be returning here for Christmas.
Morente stated that the status quo on the country’s travel restrictions remains as they wait for the IATF-MEID to make the formal announcement.
He added that members of the IATF-MEID are still extensively discussing and deliberating on proposals to reopen the Philippines to alien visitors, and ironing out many details before its implementation.
“Most probably, those coming from green list countries will be the first ones to be allowed entry,” Morente said.
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