SEND-OFF. Navy troops hold a send-off ceremony for the BRP Bacolod City (LS-550) and its crew at the Captain Salvo Pier, Sangley Point, Cavite on Tuesday (April 21, 2020). The ship was deployed to pick up over 23,000 boxes containing personal protective equipment (PPE) sets procured by the government from China. (Photo courtesy of Naval Public Affairs Office)
MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday deployed one of its logistics support vessel, the BRP Bacolod City (LS-550), to pick up 23,385 boxes of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the Zhangzhou Port in Xiamen, China.
The ship departed Sangley Point, Cavite after a short send-off ceremony, PN public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a statement.
BRP Bacolod City is under the leadership of Commander Rogelio Lachina.
Roxas said the ship was deployed after Presidential Peace Adviser and National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer, Carlito Galvez Jr., called for the Navy's services in picking up and delivering to the country the remaining sets of PPE that the Department of Budget and Management procured from China last month.
Aboard the ship were 33 container vans courtesy of the Pacific Roadlink Logistics, Inc. (PRLI) which is based in Angat, Bulacan.
Roxas said these container vans will serve as storage rooms of the PPE sets.
Meanwhile, Philippine Fleet commander, Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe, one of the ranking officials who saw BRP Bacolod City and its crew off, said their mission is very important as this will help provide more PPE sets to medical front-liners tackling the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
"Always bear in mind that you're doing this for our country and our people in the Glory of God," he said as he wished everyone aboard a safe voyage.
Roxas said this undertaking highlights the crucial capability of the PN to provide much needed logistical support and another manifestation of its full support to the government by devoting personnel, assets, and resources to the resolve of containing this pandemic. (PNA)
