Navy ship heads to China for PPE retrieval

The Philippine Navy dispatched its logistics support vessel, BRP Bacolod (LS550), to China to retrieve a substantial order of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for Filipino frontliners battling COVID-19.

The mission was initiated in response to a request from National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to aid in the repatriation of essential medical supplies.

BRP Bacolod is en route to Xiamen, China, to collect 23,385 boxes of PPEs from Zhangzhou Port, a journey expected to last approximately one week.

The ship is equipped with 33 container vans from Pacific Roadlink Logistics, Inc. to serve as temporary storage for the protective gear.

The Department of Health had previously procured one million sets of PPEs worth P1.8 billion from China to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and other frontliners.

While some PPEs have already arrived via Philippine Air Force C-130 flights and private carriers, this naval mission aims to expedite the delivery of the remaining supplies.

Upon arrival, the PPEs will be handed over to the Office of Civil Defense for distribution to COVID-19 referral hospitals, testing laboratories, and quarantine facilities.