Manila: Almost 61,000 departures per day were processed during the Undas long weekend, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported Wednesday. In a statement, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that personnel stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recorded an average of 60,727 departures from October 27 to November 2.

According to Philippines News Agency, the highest number of departures was recorded on October 30, with the BI processing 67,942 individuals. On October 31, the eve of All Saints’ Day, there were 61,017 total departures across all international ports, while arrivals were noted at 51,060. The average number of arrivals during the period was 48,688, with All Souls’ Day on November 2, marking the highest influx of 55,303 inbound travelers.

Viado commented on the growing number of travelers, expressing optimism for further increases as the holiday season approaches. “We are pleased to see the steady recovery of outbound and inbound travel, which reflects the confidence of our people to travel again,” he said.

The BI also highlighted the success of airport operations over the weekend, with personnel on full alert and monitoring passenger flow. Although there were occasional heavy lines during peak hours, these issues were quickly resolved through strategic deployment adjustments and coordination with airport authorities.

The bureau reminded the public of its regular updates on airport operations, posted every two hours on its official Facebook page, allowing travelers to better prepare for their journeys. Additionally, Commissioner Viado announced plans for the implementation of e-gates to further streamline airport processing.

The procurement process for additional e-gates has been initiated, with the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) also expected to acquire more units to accommodate the increasing number of travelers. “With the continuous increase in passenger volume over the years, automation is no longer optional – it’s a necessity,” the BI stated.

The bureau expressed gratitude to the traveling public for their patience and cooperation during the busy Undas period, reaffirming its commitment to enhancing efficiency and passenger experience across all national ports.