The Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines has conducted a major personnel reshuffle at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) border control team, replacing three key leaders.
The new Immigration Commissioner, Joel Anthony Viado, who took office in September, stated that the purpose of the reorganization is to "optimize operational processes and enhance service efficiency." He also revealed that this personnel adjustment in the border control team is just an initial measure, and more "structural reforms" will be implemented in the coming weeks to strengthen border management and improve governance.
According to the announcement from the Bureau of Immigration, the specific arrangements for this personnel adjustment are as follows:
- Mary Jane Hizon will serve as the head of Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES).
- Jonathan Fernando is appointed as the head of Immigration at Terminal 1 of the airport.
- Dennis Javier has been appointed as the head of Immigration at Terminal 2 of the airport.
Commissioner Viado emphasized in his statement that the main purpose of adjusting the border control management layer is to enhance airport operational efficiency and optimize immigration inspection processes to ensure a smoother passage experience for travelers. Additionally, the new personnel changes are also aimed at more strictly enforcing immigration regulations and further enhancing border security levels.
Enhancing Border Control Capabilities in Response to the Departure Wave of POGO Workers
This adjustment is considered to be in response to the upcoming departure peak. It is expected that within the next 58 days, about 12,000 former employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) will downgrade their visas and leave the Philippines. Facing such a large number of departures, the pressure on border control work has doubled, and the Bureau of Immigration hopes to improve processing efficiency through personnel adjustments to avoid management chaos.
In addition to dealing with the departure wave, the Bureau of Immigration has also recently intensified its crackdown on illegal foreign nationals. Due to frequent large-scale enforcement actions, the Bureau has repeatedly clarified policy directions. It is evident that this personnel adjustment is not only to meet short-term needs but also to prepare for potential future challenges in border management.
New Commissioner Viado's Determination for Reform
This personnel change in the border control team demonstrates Commissioner Viado's determination for reform. The Bureau of Immigration has been criticized in recent years for lax internal management, especially after the escape incident involving Guo Huaping in July, which led to the dismissal of the former Commissioner, Norman Tansingco, and damaged the international image of the Philippines. To avoid repeating past mistakes, the new commissioner has quickly taken action, showing his determination and will for reform through a series of adjustments.
Strict Management May Affect Legal Travelers
Although this adjustment aims to improve border inspection efficiency and strengthen border security, some legal foreign nationals in the Philippines and travelers planning to visit may face stricter scrutiny. Due to the actions of a small number of criminals, border control may impose more stringent material inspections on all entrants. However, if the personnel adjustments truly improve passage efficiency and service quality, it could also bring a better clearance experience for travelers.
We will continue to monitor and look forward to the future performance of the Bureau of Immigration.
