PN to send vessel to get PPEs from China

April 19, 2020

Philippine Navy (PN) will send its vessel to fetch protective personal equipment (PPE) procured from China.

"The Philippine Navy will deploy one of its logistics support vessels, BRP Bacolod City (LS550) to Xiamen, China to pick up 23,385 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPEs) stacked in 17 containers in Zhangzou Port there," said Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, PN spokesperson.

Roxas said the fleet-marine contingent which includes medical and security teams are expected to depart next week.

"This deployment is in response to the call of Presidential Peace Adviser and National Task Force on COVID-19 chief implementer, Carlito Galvez Jr., to make use of the services of the PN to fetch and deliver to the country the remaining sets of PPEs that the Department of Budget and Management procured in China last month," she said.

"This undertaking highlights the crucial capability of the PN to provide much needed logistical support and another manifestation of its full support to the government by devoting personnel, assets and resources to the resolve of defeating this pandemic," she added.

Roxas said "Navy chief Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo earlier stated that the PN is committed its assets to be used in support the 'Bayanihan to Heal as One' initiative of the government to help defeat this pandemic corona virus disease in the country." Robina Asido/DMS