But after investing in new equipment, the government ignored them and stepped up importation of medical products and supplies, particularly PPE. The latest Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that in June, the import value of PPE and medical supplies jumped 124.1 percent year-on-year to $31.2 million, although there was no information on what countries these came from. In May, imported values of PPE and other medical items climbed by 65 percent year-on-year to $32 million, following a 54.1-percent increase in April. Bayanihan 2 provisionSen. Sonny Angara, chair of the finance committee, said the government should give preference to locally made PPE, face shields, face masks, shoe covers and similar equipment once the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) becomes law. He also said in a radio interview that this provision on preference for local PPE did not provide a penalty for noncompliance, but Congress could still hold officials to account by using its oversight powers to scrutinize the procurement of PPE.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 22, 2020 21:22 UTC