BOC monitors entry of ukay-ukay, food products from overseas amid nCoV scare

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Wednesday it will strictly implement measures on the entry of secondhand clothing and imported food products amid the continued spread of the novel coronavirus in several countries.

The commercial importation of used clothing, popularly known as “ukay-ukay,” is prohibited by law, while imported food products should have the necessary permits from agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

“Right now, we’re high on alert on used clothing. May premium ang ukay-ukay kasi. That’s one of the easiest way na puwede mo ma-transmit yung sakit na 'yan,”
Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla told reporters in Malacañang.

“We’re now looking at critical items na puwede mag carry ng virus na ‘to. It doesn’t hurt that we be vigilant about them kasi illegal naman talaga ang pagpaparating ng ukay-ukay. Hinuhuli naman naming regularly yan pero ngayon on heightened alert kami,” he added.

Maronilla said the BOC is coordinating with the DA and the Department of Health over the government’s response to preventing the entry of the 2019 novel coronavirus into the country.

“The intelligence and enforcement groups of the Bureau of Customs are now on full alert as per order of the Commissioner. Again, guarding against all items not just food items—by which we have coordinated with the DOH and the DA—that might be a carrier or a source of carrying these diseases other than actual humans,” he said.

The number of confirmed cases in the novel coronavirus outbreak reached 5,974 on Wednesday in China alone, where the virus was first detected. The virus has also killed more than 130 people.

There are 23 persons under investigation in the Philippines for possible novel coronavirus infection as of Wednesday, according to the DOH. — BM, GMA News