THE Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BOC-NAIA) will immediately release COVID-19 vaccines once they arrive at the airport.
Customs authorities yesterday started inspecting warehouses and held several coordination meetings with concerned government agencies and warehouse operators for the arrival of authorized COVID-19 vaccines.
Over the weekend representatives from the Department of Health Dr. Susana Castillo, Engr. Luzviminda Garcia, Heidi Umadac, Dr. Mico Amansec, Dr. Ariel Valencia and Alice Nader from Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization and NAIA warehouse operators’ representatives from ECCF Paircargo, Cargohaus, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Skylanders Inc., Paircargo, DHL, and TMW held a video conferencet o discuss the protocols, permits, and facilities needed for the arrival of the approved vaccines.
Earlier, Customs-NAIA put up Airport Customer Care Center and COVID-19 One-Stop Shop for COVID-19 vaccines that will accommodate and assist incoming importations thru the Port of NAIA.
“We have no reason to delay the release of these vaccine once they arrive at the airport because the government waited for a long time to get our millions of Filipinos vaccinated for COVID-19 that killed millions around the world,” a top BOC official, said.
The official said BOC-NAIA will also continue to be vigilant and ensure that no unsafe, dangerous, and prohibited and unregistered goods will enter the country. By Willy M. Balasa
