Manila to get thermal scanners, 300K masks from Guangzhou

GUANGZHOU MUNICIPAL GOVT will donate 200,000 N95 masks; 100,000 surgical masks, and 2,000 thermal scanners/infrared thermometers to its sister city of Manila. Isko, distribute the stuff fast before it ends up in government warehouse. NOW.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 24, 2020

MANILA – The municipal government of Guangzhou in China is donating thousands of essential medical supplies to Manila, its sister city and where the country’s referral center for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is located, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Tuesday.

Locsin said a total of 200,000 N95 masks, 100,000 surgical masks, and 2,000 thermal scanners/infrared thermometers will be included in the donation.

In a tweet, he asked Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso to distribute the supplies “fast before it ends up in government warehouse”.

Concerns over the alleged holding and delay in the release of medical supplies were recently raised to the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

In a press conference on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said the BOC and the Department of Finance (DOF) had already agreed to expedite the release of donations containing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies.

“Base po sa usapan natin sa BOC at DOF, kapag ang dumating ay PPE, masks, goggles, hazmat suits, lahat po ito papasaukin ng mabilis (Based on our talks with the BOC and DOF, the donated PPE including masks, goggles, hazmat suits will be released immediately),” he said.