Seized medical supplies to be donated to COVID-19 frontliners — BOC

MANILA, Philippines — Medical supplies seized by authorities are set to be donated to frontliners addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday.

BOC spokesperson and assistant commissioner Vincent Maronilla said the agency is already coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on fast-tracking the donation of confiscated medical supplies.

“We’re finalizing some plans for the Bureau of Customs to assist itong mga na-raid po ng NBI pati na rin po yung mga na-raid namin last week, mapabilis po agad ang forfeiture nito para ma-donate na kaagad sa mga frontliners na nangangailangan,” Maronilla said in a public briefing.

(We’re finalizing some plans to enable the Bureau of Customs to assist NBI in the swift forfeiture of goods from raids last week and to donate these to the frontliners who need it.)

READ: P6-M medical supplies seized in police raids

“We’re already coordinating with the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation,” he said.

Authorities have seized medical supplies being sold at steep prices amid its high demand, especially for health workers on the front lines of the emergency crisis.

READ: Face masks, thermal scanners worth P10M seized

Meanwhile, BOC said it continues to fast-track the release of imported medical equipment and supplies for delivery.

Maronilla said the agency has so far processed 2,865 shipments of personal protective equipment, medical supplies, and the like.