MANILA International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said Thursday that he does not encourage passengers to be at the airport five hours before their flight to avoid airport congestion.
"Hindi po nanggaling sa amin 'yung panukalang limang oras. Mga three hours sa international (flight), two-and-a-half hours sa domestic (flight),” he said.
"I don't see the benefit right now. Hindi po naman ganun kabigat ang problema sa proseso ng ating mga umaalis papuntang ibang bansa. So I would suggest that they should come at least three hours before, huwag po 'yung limang oras," Monreal added.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines earlier advised its passengers to be at the airport five hours before their departure time in preparation for long immigration lines.
Cebu Pacific (CEB) meanwhile urges departing passengers to "allot ample time" to check-in in order to avoid long queues at the airport this peak season. CEB said domestic check-in counters are open three hours before the scheduled time or departure and four hours for international flights.
The Bureau of Immigration is facing manpower and pay issues since President Rodrigo Duterte barred the agency from using the funds collected from airport express lanes for overtime pay.
Several immigration officers refused to report to work, with some claiming that they do not have enough money for fare since they were underpaid.
Monreal, however, assured that they are prepared for the influx of passengers during the Holy Week.
He said all leaves of airport personnel were cancelled to ensure all counters are working.
“We have intensified security surveillance as far as airports are concerned,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has placed on Thursday all its units on alert status in preparation for the influx of passengers during the Holy Week.
PCG chief Joel Garcia urged the passengers to be at the seaports at least three hours before the scheduled departure to give ample time for the inspection of passengers and their baggage.
For the observance of the Lenten Season, the railway systems also made adjustment of their schedules.
Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1 (Roosevelt to Baclaran) and LRT2 (Recto to Santolan) will have no operations from April 13 to 16. (VoxPop Philippines)
