By Ariel Fernandez
Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark expedited the release of US$2.5-M worth of laboratory equipment secured by the government from Shenzhen, China through a grant assistance from the Asian Development Bank. The equipment will strengthen the country’s COVID-19 testing capability.
District Collector Atty. Ruby Claudia Alameda led the BOC-Clark customs team that facilitated the arrival, unloading and the necessary examination of the cargoes after the Philippine Air Force C130 plane loaded with the said equipment arrived today, April 22, 2020 at 2:36 am. at Haribon, Air Force City.
The laboratory equipment includes the following: water purification system, fluorescent quantitative detection system, real-time fluorescent PCR kit, and other medical devices. These were imported by the Department of Health from Wuhan BGI Clinical Laboratory Limited Company to aid in the country's fight against COVID-19.
According to the Department of Health, said laboratory equipment can be set up in 7-10 days and can perform up to 45,000 tests.
The Port of Clark assures the public that all medical supplies and equipment arriving in their terminal will be expeditiously released while maintaining compliance with customs rules and regulations.