In a significant move to enhance the travel experience and bolster national security, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced the release of P1.347 billion to continue funding the Electronic Gates (E-gates) Project to improve services for air and sea passengers.
This allocation, in direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve services for air and sea passengers, aims to modernize and digitize immigration processes at major international gateways across the Philippines.
The E-gates Project is a crucial initiative designed to streamline the primary inspection process, significantly reducing long queues at immigration counters and improving overall efficiency for both local and foreign visitors. Beyond convenience, the project also strengthens national security and elevates the passenger experience by addressing issues of immigration congestion.
“To fulfill President Bongbong Marcos’ directive of providing convenience to travelers, whether locals or foreign visitors, and reduce long queues at immigration counters, the DBM already released the budget allocation for the E-gates Project for 2025 amounting to P1.347 billion,” stated Budget Secretary Mina.
Secretary Mina also highlighted the DBM’s prior commitment to the project, noting that “in 2024, we were also able to release P1.976 billion to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for them to procure for Phase 1 of the project. This will continue until Phase 3 in 2026. This year, we are in Phase 2, and we are appealing to the BI to expedite the procurement process so that the E-gates Project can be fully operational as soon as possible.”
Existing e-gates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have already demonstrated their effectiveness. The expansion of the E-gates Project will see this modern technology deployed to additional premier international gateways across the country, enhancing the efficiency of security and immigration processes for all arriving and departing passengers, regardless of citizenship. The project is expected to replace 50 percent of overall manned inspection counters with modernized technology.
The comprehensive modernization plan includes the deployment of e-gates and corresponding funding provisions to the following airports and seaports:
- NAIA Terminals I & III
- Clark International Airport
- Mactan Cebu International Airport
- Davao International Airport
- Kalibo International Airport
- Boracay-Caticlan International Airport
- Zamboanga International Seaport
- Laoag International Airport
- Bohol-Panglao International Airport
- Puerto Princesa International Airport
The target date for the full employment of operational e-gates is set for on or before December 15, 2025. This ambitious timeline underscores the government’s commitment to transforming the travel experience and ensuring a more secure and efficient entry and exit process for all.
