The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday said three of its ports have recently conducted an inter-port meeting on preparations for the arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.

In a statement, the bureau said the ports of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Davao, and Cebu held a meeting on Feb. 11 to ensure that the airports in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are fully prepared in expediting arrival, customs clearances, and handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.

Among the issues discussed include Customs pre-clearance process, documentary requirements for importation and donation, expedite handling and logistical challenges to ensure that the standard procedures on the release of the vaccines will be adopted and implemented in all ports where these will arrive.

Customs Deputy Commissioner Edward James Dybuco and NAIA District Collector Carmelita Talusan both relayed information on the recently completed Covid-19 vaccine arrival simulation held last Feb. 10, from the arrival to the airport up to the storage facility inside the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.

Meanwhile, Port of Davao District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria and Port of Cebu District Collector Charlito Martin Mendoza assured that their ports are prepared to expedite the handling of vaccines.

Meanwhile, the BOC has tightened security against the importation of fake and smuggled medicines and vaccines.

The bureau has bolstered its efforts to improve border security in coordination with local law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as well as the Food and Drug Agency.

The partnership has resulted in previous apprehensions and discovery of makeshift clinics that are suspected of having been used to treat Covid-19 patients and may be utilized as an avenue of distribution for local fake vaccines. (PNA)