BOC-Cebu installs new x-ray machine

CEBU, Philippines —  A faster scanning of containerized shipments is expected at the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cebu starting yesterday, with the installation of portal x-ray machine.

BOC-Cebu Acting District Collector Atty. Charlito Martin R. Mendoza led the inauguration and blessing ceremony of the newly-installed portal x-ray machine the other day.

According to BOC-Cebu, in their Facebook page, the HXP-FreightScan Portal adopts a modern scanning technology designed by Astrophysics, Asia Inc.

The system is capable of detecting smuggled and anti-social goods through high-resolution images for a more accurate image analysis, the BOC said.

The portal design allows container trucks to move through the x-ray machine with a tunnel height of almost five meters allowing scanning of oversized cargoes.

"The HXP-FreightScan Portal enhances the port’s maximum x-ray inspection capacity to 150 trucks an hour. With its comprehensive imaging tools and standard features, shipments will be analyzed with greater speed and accuracy while ensuring maximum threat detection. We, at the Bureau’s X-Ray Inspection Project (XIP), commit to adopt technological advancements in our operations to better serve our stakeholders”, said  Carlos Joey S. Reyes, Field Officer, XIP-Cebu.

The installation of the additional x-ray machine is in line with the bureau’s commitment to strengthen border security measures by increasing its non-intrusive inspection capabilities of containerized shipments.

This modernization of the bureau’s scanning technology in the port will not only improve border security and trade facilitation, but also increase the entire port operation’s resiliency against and adaptability in times of operational disruption.

The event was graced by Engr. Rene Antonio P. Bacon, Port Manager of Port Management Office-Cebu Port Authority, Atty. Tomas A. Riveral, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR) and Atty. Florimae C. Velasco, General Manager of OPASCOR.   GAN (FREEMAN)