The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Friday that electronic gates (e-gates) will soon be installed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to expedite immigration processing and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.
Transportation chief Jaime Bautista Dizon said the project aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize passenger safety and convenience. The e-gates are set to be operational before the busy Christmas season, covering both arrival and departure areas.
“Hopefully by Christmas, we will have replaced our e-gates here at NAIA,” Dizon said. “Even if you leave the Philippines, you will have an e-gate. There is no need to go through the manual or face-to-face.”
The upgraded e-gates will primarily serve Filipino travelers, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), but foreign tourists will also benefit from the streamlined, automated passport control process.
Dizon expressed appreciation for the support of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla and Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, crediting their cooperation in pushing through long-overdue upgrades to the aging system.
“This is a big deal for the travel experience of our countrymen, especially during peak travel,” Dizon said.
The e-gate project is part of a broader government initiative to modernize airport infrastructure and enhance efficiency across the country’s transport hubs.
