Customs to install 50 more X-ray machines nationwide

THE BUREAU of Customs will install 50 x-ray units worth P1.2 billion in major ports across the country to tighten its watch on smuggling.
The equipment includes 15 units of fixed baggage X-ray machines, 25 units of hand-carried baggage X-ray machines, four units of mobile baggage X-ray machines, and 6 units of portal-type X-ray machines.
“We need to immediately install and upgrade our x-ray machines to strengthen vigilance and prevent the entry of smuggled and contraband goods in the Philippines,” said Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero.
According to the Customs bureau, the machines are capable of identifying, with their high-penetration features, dense areas in shipments.
“These can provide a function that automatically detects organic substances with relative atomic numbers one after another or highlighting a region or the system that may display organic substances in orange color,” the BoC said.
“It is also capable of discriminating between organic and inorganic materials and with Threat Image Projection (TIP) which is capable of automatic projection of threat images to enhance the alertness of the system operators,” it added.
The BoC said the installation of the machines will be completed before the end of the year. This will add to the 66 x-ray machines currently installed in various airports and seaports nationwide. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan