Transactions with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) must first go through online appointment via immigration.gov.ph in preparation for the new normal arrangement.
BI National Operations Center Chief Melvin Mabulac said on Wednesday that their office will not accept walk-in transactions yet. Only those with appointment codes on a set date and time will be received by the BI. Individuals to be accommodated are required to bring valid government IDs.
The online appointment system of the bureau is in line with the observance of the physical distancing protocol in the bureau’s offices amid the current threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the BI is also implementing mandatory testing on its more than 3,000 employees.
Mabulac disclosed that the rapid testing in the main office of the BI and in airports have been finished last Tuesday.
Nine immigration officers assigned at the NAIA have previously tested positive in the rapid test but eventually tested negative for COVID-19 in their confirmatory swab tests. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
