(Photo courtesy: Bureau of Customs)
MANILA -- Two fixed portal x-ray machines were installed at the Bureau of Customs-Port of Manila (BOC-POM) on Tuesday to protect the country’s borders against the entry of smuggled goods and other contraband.
In a statement, the BOC – X-ray Inspection Project (XIP) said the installation of modern scanners is in line with Bureau’s commitment to strengthen border security measures by increasing its non-intrusive inspection capabilities of containerized shipments.
“The machines are expected to further enhance the capability of BOC in detecting smuggled and anti-social goods like misdeclared items, undervalued goods, non-declared goods as well as the entry of narcotics in various ports nationwide,” it said.
The scanners installed at the POM are part of the six upgraded X-ray machines procured from Astrophysics Inc., a US company based in Southern California.
The BOC- XIP added that the newly acquired modern X-ray machines can scan at least 120 containers per hour.
Aside from the POM, the other units will be installed, two machines in Manila International Container Port (MICP) and one each for Port of Davao and Port of Cebu.
It added that the machine is equipped with material discrimination capability allowing X-ray image analysts to distinguish organic and inorganic materials.
“The capacity makes image analysis of X-ray inspectors more accurate in their decision-making process,” the BOC-XIP said.
It noted that the X-ray machines have lower radiation dose ensuring the safety of X-ray workers as well as the transacting public who may be exposed to radiation.
The machines will also enable the rapid and effective screening of containerized shipments with minimum interruption to the movement of goods inside the ports.
“Designed for ease of operation and maintenance, the X-ray scanners are expected to minimize unnecessary delays and enhance trade facilitation,” it added. (PR)
