International travellers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport festooned with Christmas decorations  on December 18, 2023 in Pasay City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is now allowing its frontline personnel stationed in airports to extend their Christmas greetings to travelers during the holiday season.

Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained in a televised briefing that there is nothing wrong with greeting passengers Merry Christmas, saying this is part of the warm culture of Filipinos. However, personnel will still not be allowed to accept any form of gifts or tokens, she said. 

Thousands flock to ports early Monday amid Christmas rush

The BI earlier banned their personnel from making holiday greetings as passengers may interpret this as asking for gifts. 

Immigration officers bawal unang bumati ng 'Merry Christmas': BI

"It’s a different thing ngayon this Christmas season, pwede nang bumati kasi nakita natin na it’s really part of Philippine tradition and culture to be really warm and welcoming ngayong Kapaskuhan,” Sandoval said. 

“Ang pagbati po ay hindi masama, as long as hindi tatanggap ang aming mga tauhan ng kahit anong regalo or token, yun po ang pinagbabawal. Pero ang pagbati po as part of our culture ay maaring gawin.”

Sandoval also reminded BI frontline personnel to be inclusive with other passengers who don’t celebrate Christmas. 

“Yun lang ang advise natin sa mga frontliners natin ay ensure na maging inclusive tayo sa ibang passengers with other religions who do not practice or do not have Christmas. Maari nating batiin ng ibang pagbati just to celebrate with them the holiday season,” she said.

The BI estimates as many as 110,000 passengers per day during the peak holiday season, Sandoval said.

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