This aims to improve passenger flow inside the terminals of the airport.
In a statement on Friday, May 9, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the government will be installing new electronic immigration gates at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
Dizon said that this is part of the ongoing efforts to ensure smooth travel experiences, as well as to speed up and streamline immigration processing of passengers.
He added that the e-gates, whicb will both be placed at arrival and departure areas, are expected to be ready before Christmas 2025 and in time for the holidays.
“Hopefully by Christmas, sana by then na-replace na natin itont mga e-gates natin. The goal is before Christmas napalitan na natin yung e-gates dito sa NAIA,” he said.
The official furthered, “Ang magandang balita natin sa mga kababayan natin pagka nagawa na itong e-gates both arrival and depature na. Kahit palabas ka ng Pilipinas, e-gate na rin. Hindi na kailangan magmanual o face-to-face.
Sec. Dizon expressed his gratitude to his coubterpart in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla, and to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado for helping replace the old e-gates.
These electronic passport checks will prioritize Filipinos, especially Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with foreign tourists seen to benefit from the automated passport control system as well, according to the transport chief.
“Ang priority natin Filipinos muna kagaya sa ibang bansa. Kailangan unahin natin mga kababayan natin, especially mga OFWs. Napaka-gandang balita rin ito para sa ating mga turista,” he noted.
At present, there are already existing e-gates at NAIA terminals that were installed as far back as 2018.