SEA Games a logistical nightmare – BI
Credit to Author: WILLIAM DEPASUPIL, TMT| Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:46:53 +0000
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) considers the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games a “logistical nightmare” with the expected arrival of thousands of athletes, guests and tourists.
BI Port Operations chief Grifton Medina and spokesman Dana Krizia Sandoval on Wednesday told The Manila Times that they expect more than 20,000 athletes, officials and guests.
“It is a logistical nightmare or challenge, thus the longer preparations,” Medina said. He added that one of their main concerns was security, considering the sports venues are scattered in various cities.
The BI official said they were not discounting the possibility that some terrorists might take advantage of the event and sneak in.
Aside from the deployment of additional personnel to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other ports of entry, special lanes would also be opened to speed up the processing of the delegates.
The BI would also used the “advance passenger information system” to determine the identity of the passenger and record the information.
Sandoval said preparations for the major event that will start on November 30 started a few months ago.
“We are closely coordinating with the SEA Games organizing committee. They will provide us all the necessary information, including the advance listing of athletes and delegates,” she said.