Nearly 200 shipments of medical equipment released from Customs
Published Mar 19, 2020 12:00 am
By Betheena Kae Unite
Almost 200 shipments containing essential medical supplies were released from the Bureau of Customs as of Wednesday amid the clamor for the prompt release of medical equipment from ports.
(REUTERS/BOC/FILE PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
A total of 156 shipments and 38 containers of personal protection equipment (PPE) and medical supplies were successfully processed and released from the ports of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark, and Manila International Container Port, Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said Thursday.
The Customs bureau attributed the “expeditious clearance and release of goods to the Customs Assistance Desk as well as the officials and frontline personnel of the bureau who are coordinating with foreign donors and importers.”
“Although affected by the enhanced community quarantine and in a state of national calamity, the Bureau of Customs remains committed to its mandate of ensuring the efficient and continuous release of goods, particularly medical supplies and other commodities essential in combating the spread of COVID-19,” the bureau said in a statement.
The Customs bureau was called out for allegedly preventing the release of shipments of medical supplies from its ports but the bureau answered back, denying that they are holding the release of such shipments.
Maronilla, in a Facebook Live post, urged the public to report to the bureau any information about delayed releases of shipments containing medical equipment.
Filipinos from foreign countries who want to donate basic health necessities were also encouraged to contact the Customs bureau for the prompt release of their donations.
“Meron po kaming assistance desks para po sa mga gustong mag-donate na mga kababayan natin abroad na may mga kakilala dito, at gusto niyong mag-donate dito ng mga medical equipment o kung ano man pong relief goods para sa emergency-ng ito (We have assistance desks for Filipinos abroad who want donate medical equipment and relief goods for this emergency),” Maronilla said.
Donors were told to directly communicate with the assistance desk put up to exclusively attend to donations and relief consignments. The assistance desk may be reached through mobile numbers 0967-225-6871 or 0917-832-2954 or through the the Customs website.
(REUTERS/BOC/FILE PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
A total of 156 shipments and 38 containers of personal protection equipment (PPE) and medical supplies were successfully processed and released from the ports of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark, and Manila International Container Port, Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said Thursday.
The Customs bureau attributed the “expeditious clearance and release of goods to the Customs Assistance Desk as well as the officials and frontline personnel of the bureau who are coordinating with foreign donors and importers.”
“Although affected by the enhanced community quarantine and in a state of national calamity, the Bureau of Customs remains committed to its mandate of ensuring the efficient and continuous release of goods, particularly medical supplies and other commodities essential in combating the spread of COVID-19,” the bureau said in a statement.
The Customs bureau was called out for allegedly preventing the release of shipments of medical supplies from its ports but the bureau answered back, denying that they are holding the release of such shipments.
Maronilla, in a Facebook Live post, urged the public to report to the bureau any information about delayed releases of shipments containing medical equipment.
Filipinos from foreign countries who want to donate basic health necessities were also encouraged to contact the Customs bureau for the prompt release of their donations.
“Meron po kaming assistance desks para po sa mga gustong mag-donate na mga kababayan natin abroad na may mga kakilala dito, at gusto niyong mag-donate dito ng mga medical equipment o kung ano man pong relief goods para sa emergency-ng ito (We have assistance desks for Filipinos abroad who want donate medical equipment and relief goods for this emergency),” Maronilla said.
Donors were told to directly communicate with the assistance desk put up to exclusively attend to donations and relief consignments. The assistance desk may be reached through mobile numbers 0967-225-6871 or 0917-832-2954 or through the the Customs website.