QUEUES at the immigration counters of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport worsened on Monday after immigration officers did not show up for work because of non-payment of their overtime pay.
Airport officials said a number of passengers missed their flights due to long queues in the immigration counters at the Naia.
According to an officer of the BI, only 11 immigration officials reported for work and were not able to accommodate all passengers.
Foreign and local passengers had to stay in line for more than an hour before they could reach the immigration counter.
Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno assured that there is funding for the allowances of employees of the BI who render overtime services.
“A total of P224.835 million has been appropriated in the FY 2017 General Appropriations Act [GAA]specifically for the overtime pay of BI employees who do overtime services,” Diokno said after reports of work stoppage at the Naia came out.
It was also learned that BI immigration officers filed their leave of absence en masse last week as a sign of protest for the alleged non-payment of their overtime allowance.
“The immigration officers perform an important role in ensuring public security and safety. They are at the frontline of the battle to secure our borders from terrorist threats, human trafficking, and illegal drug trade. That’s why the President made sure that there is an appropriation in the GAA for their overtime pay in recognition for the work they perform,” Diokno said.