DepEd to receive over 5,000 gadget donations from Port of Clark taken from abandoned shipments

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Monday that over 5,000 electronic devices such as laptops and cellphones are set to be donated by the Port of Clark to the Department of Education (DepEd) to help in its distance learning program.

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The Bureau of Customs said that the Port of Clark will donate a total of 4,840 smartphones and 198 laptops and other accessories like headsets, power cords, chargers, among others.

According to the bureau, 198 units of Huawei Matebook D15 Notebook, 1,600 units of Oppo A9 2020, and 3,240 units of Oppo A31 were gathered during two separate inventory conducted on September 14 and October 8.

District Collector Ruby Alameda said the inspection and inventory are in compliance with Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero’s order to check overstaying and abandoned shipments containing devices that can be used by teachers and learners for this school year’s distance learning program.

The inventory was conducted in the presence of representatives from National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Commission of Audit (COA), Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS).

The inventoried items were covered by forfeiture decisions and final decrees of abandonment in violation of Sections 117 & 1113 of Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The inventory complies with the directive of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on the immediate disposal of forfeited and abandoned goods.

The port’s auction and disposal unit said in accordance with Section 1141 of the CMTA, the goods will be donated to the Department of Education after compliance with existing rules and regulations and conduct of necessary donation procedures.

The forfeited and seized items were the result of vigilance and dedication to service of Port of Clark personnel in apprehending shipments violating the CMTA,

Alameda said.

In September, the bureau started checking all abandoned and seized shipments of gadgets that can be donated to the Department of Education (DepEd) to support the education of Filipinos in their distant learning during this challenging time.