BI exec slams ‘worst airport’ claim

MANILA, Philippines - A Bureau of Immigration official cried foul yesterday over a travel website’s claim that one of the reasons why Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 is the world’s worst airport is that BI personnel are more focused on playing computer games than attending to travelers.

BI spokesperson Ma. Angelica Pedro, who gave her opinion as a private individual, said it was unfair to make sweeping allegations.

The travel website, “Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” said immigration officers at NAIA-1 “prefer to play Angry Birds than process travelers.”

Pedro, who was assigned for two years as an immigration officer, said immigration officers “work longer hours… and are required to work even on holidays. Even in typhoons we are not included in the work suspension. We have to report day in, day out.”

She also said games such as Angry Birds are not installed in BI computers and they have discouraged the use of cell phones to promote efficiency.

“It saddens me as an immigration officer that what they always notice is our mistakes. Have they taken the time to consider our recent accomplishments?  No. We are doing our best, so hopefully our partners and stakeholders also help us,” Pedro said.