Navy ship carrying PPE from China to arrive in Davao May 8

Upon arrival, BRP Bacolod City will unload the first batch of the PPE sets in Davao City, then set sail for Cebu City for the second batch, and finally, depart for Manila for its last delivery. (File Photo from Pexels Photo)

MANILA – Philippine Navy (PN) logistics ship, BRP Bacolod City (LS-550), is expected to arrive in Davao City on May 8 to deliver the first batch of personal protective equipment (PPE) sets acquired from China.

“ETA (estimated time of arrival of LS-550 (BRP Bacolod City) is still on May 8.

The ship is now in Oriental Mindoro waters,” Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a message on Monday.

The ship left Zhangzhou Harbor, Port of Xiamen, China last April 30 with a cargo of 700,000 KN95 face masks and 200,000 sets of PPE, which consists of goggles, coverall suits, head cover, gloves, shoe covers, surgical masks, and surgical gowns.

These items were acquired by the Department of Budget Management last March for use of the Department of Health front-liners.

“BRP Bacolod City left China with no members exhibiting any symptoms of (the coronavirus disease 2019) Covid-19 as a result of its stringent measures on the safety and health of its personnel on board,” Roxas said.

Upon arrival, BRP Bacolod City will unload the first batch of the PPE sets in Davao City, then set sail for Cebu City for the second batch, and finally, depart for Manila for its last delivery.

“The Philippine Navy continuously supports the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act by providing logistical support and assistance to ensure that essential medical supplies and other equipment needed by the national government are successfully transported. This undertaking highlights its crucial capability in the country’s fight against (the) Covid-19 pandemic,” Roxas said.