MANILA, Philippines — Over 110,000 travelers are expected to flock to several airports in the country as the holiday season approaches, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado  noted that last year, Christmas weekend arrivals averaged over 53,000, while departures averaged 43,000. 

He said that this year’s numbers are expected to surpass pre-pandemic figures.

Prior to the pandemic, the BI recorded an average of 55,000 daily arrivals in December and 47,000 departures in December 2019.

Viado assured the public that measures have been put in place to ensure smooth operations during the holiday season. 

As part of regular procedures, leave applications for frontline officers are not granted during the peak season to ensure full staffing.

“We have ramped up our operations at major international airports, with additional personnel to maintain a smooth flow of passengers,” said Viado. 

“Our team is closely monitoring our operations,” he said.

In addition to new officers, the BI is also deploying personnel from its main office to assist with airport operations. The agency is activating rapid response teams and setting up mobile counters to help ensure efficient processing during the peak season.

Aside from the influx of travelers, the National Capital Region Police Officers are deploying over 10,000 police officers since it likewise expecting the influx of “salisi” incidents during dawn masses,  NCRPO police chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said.

The Philippine National Police has deployed over 41,000 officers nationwide for the 2024 “Simbang Gabi” activities as part of its “Ligtas Paskuhan” plan for the Christmas season.