Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 15) — The Philippine government will send its navy ship to China next week in a bid to hasten the transport of medical supplies it is importing from Beijing, a senior official said.
Manila has ordered about a million sets of PPE worth P1.8 billion under a “government to government arrangement,” according to Carlito Galvez, who is in charge of the national coronavirus task force. Several flights have already brought in some of the supplies.
About 12,000 sets of personal protective equipment or PPE arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on board a a special commercial flight on Tuesday afternoon.
The supplies include disposable protective suits, N95 masks, goggles, gowns, gloves, surgical caps and shoe covers.
The Chinese government is chartering at least three “goodwill flights” to help the Philippines speed up the shipment of the supplies.
“I think the Philippines now is facing a very crucial time to fight the epidemic and as always, we stand together with the Philippines as brothers and sisters,” Chinese ambassador Huang Xilian told reporters, “We will do our best to extend our helping hand to our friends, the Philippines.”
Galvez explained the two government’s contract was made to ensure that the medical supplies “will be within the standard.”
The Philippine Air Force earlier said it has made at least five trips to Xiamen, China beginning April 6, to pick up the supplies.
“Nung makita ng China na talagang nahirapan tayo,” Galvez said, the Chinese government offered to charter the “goodwill flights.”
But since the shipments began early this month, only about 70,000 sets, or less than ten percent of the total supplies have been transported to Manila.
“Most probably ten days from now (April 25), baka gagawin natin is papakuha natin sa ating navy ship yung more or less 250,000 na cargoes,” Galvez said.
[Translation: Most probably ten days from now (April 25), we will deploy our navy ship (to pick up) more or less 250,000 cargoes.]
The Philippine Navy has yet to release details on which among its ships will sail to China.
While some countries have rejected Chinese-made equipment designed to fight the coronavirus pandemic, Galvez said he is getting positive feedback from Filipino frontliners on the quality of the imported supplies.
“Ang sinabi nila, that is one of the best PPE that they ever had because this is “level 4″,” Galvez pointed out, “Magandang isuot, malamig at saka very soft. Yung iba kasing PPE mabigat, makati, mainit.”
[They are saying that is one of the best PPE that they ever had because is “level 4,” Galvez pointed out, “It is ideal to wear, cool and very soft. Other PPEs are heavy, itchy and unpleasant to wear.”]
The Office of Civil Defense is tasked to distribute the medical kits to both hospitals and other medical facilities nationwide.
