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The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has begun preparations to facilitate entry of approved COVID-19 vaccines into the country
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BOC collection districts are coordinating with government agencies and facilities regarding protocols, permits, and facilities needed to expedite release of the vaccines upon arrival
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BOC one-stop shops to process expected influx of vaccines
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Bureau will intensify anti-smuggling drive amidst reports of black market vaccines being distributed and administered in the country
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has begun preparations to facilitate approved COVID-19 vaccines even as it intensifies its drive against the entry of black market vaccines.
Its collection districts have started coordinating with concerned regulatory government agencies and facilities regarding protocols, permits, and facilities needed to expedite the release of the arriving vaccines, BOC said in a statement.
BOC said it plans to utilize its one-stop shops to process the expected influx of vaccines into the country.
The use of one-stop shops proved successful during the height of the pandemic when personal protective equipment (PPE) was released in a systematic and expeditious manner, according to BOC.
The one-stop shops are expected to be more efficient this time around with the Customer Care Centers (CCC) established at ports now fully operational and with BOC online systems more accessible to the public.
BOC also aims to intensify efforts against illegal and smuggled vaccines amidst reports that black market vaccines are being distributed and administered in the country.
Enhanced data gathering and coordination with law enforcement agencies is underway to crack down on smuggled vaccines and apprehend unscrupulous individuals behind such smuggling schemes.
National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. earlier said the government targets acquiring 148 million vaccine doses of COVID-19 vaccines from different firms.
