BI officers at NAIA protest lost overtime pay

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers assigned to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) wore yellow armbands yesterday to protest the “unlawful” suspension of their overtime pay.

Senior immigration officer Floro Balato Jr. said Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, in a July 31 memorandum to President Aquino, recommended discontinuing the practice of customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) personnel charging airlines for their overtime pay.

On Aug. 3, Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II wrote the Board of Airline Representatives and the Airline Operators Council, advising them to stop paying overtime to CIQ personnel and report any violation of this policy.

“We wear this yellow arm band to call the attention of President Aquino regarding this matter,” Balato said.

He called on the government to shoulder their overtime pay or “outsource” the function.

Balato said their overtime pay is supported by the Philippine Immigration Act and the Tariff and Customs Code, and discontinuing their payment would only benefit airlines.

“Why will government suddenly answer for the airline company’s overtime fees to CIQ, when these are in the nature of their operating expenses for the longest time?” Balato said.