BOC expedites release of 57,000 Pacquiao-Jack Ma COVID-19 test kits

The Bureau of Customs said Friday it has facilitated the release of more than 50,000 COVID-19 test kits from the charity foundations of Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao and Chinese billionaire Jack Ma.

In a statement, the Customs said BOC-NAIA has fast-tracked the release of some 57,600 testing kits donated from Ma’s Alibaba Foundation through the Manny Pacquiao Foundation.

It said that test kits are intended to help the Department of Health in the fight against COVID-19 .

Since March 9, 2020, BOC-NAIA has assisted the release of 1,616 importations, and foreign donations of medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shipments, according to the bureau.

The entire BOC, Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila, Port of Cebu, Port of Clark, Port of Limay and other ports have been facilitating expeditiously all personal protective equipment in line with the directive of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

For now, the bureau said it prioritizes the processing of all PPE and medical emergency supplies amid the threat of COVID-19. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News