Immigration personnel on full force during Holy Week

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MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has deployed its full force of personnel across the country's major airports as the Holy Week travel rush peaks, with international departures expected to hit 45,000 passengers.

In a statement on Wednesday, April 1, the BI said that aside from Immigration officers, additional frontline personnel and support units are also deployed.

"We are expecting heavy passenger volume throughout the Holy Week period, with a possibility of daily departures reaching up to 45,000. All our officers are on full alert to ensure that operations remain orderly and efficient," Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said.

Viado also urged travelers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled flights.

Meanwhile, the bureau also warned about a surge in fraudulent websites targeting unsuspecting travelers.

According to the BI, scammers have reportedly set up fake platforms that charge fees for the government's mandatory electronic travel declaration system, known as eTravel.

Registration in the eTravel platform is free of charge.

"The eTravel registration process is absolutely free. We strongly advise the public to register only through the official government website at etravel.gov.ph," the bureau's statement read.

Travelers who encounter suspicious websites or online entities demanding payment for eTravel are encouraged to report them immediately to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

For added convenience, the BI noted that passengers can also complete their registration through the national government's eGovPH super app.