THE Philippines will begin to inspect food imports from Japan to check their radiation levels.
This developed as Singapore said on Monday that it was testing food products from Japan for
radiation.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky
Carandang said President Aquino met with the heads of the Philippine Nuclear Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health, Department of
Budget and Management, National Security Council, Presidential Management Staff and the
Office of the Executive Secretary to make sure that the Philippines would be safe from any
possible effects of the nuclear crisis in Japan.
“Just as a precaution, imports from Japan, mostly foodstuffs, will be checked for levels of
radiation,” Carandang told reporters after the meeting in Malacañang.
The PNRI will be in charge of the tests because the Department of Agriculture checks
agricultural products while the DOH is in charge of processed food.
“I’m not sure how quickly they can get it done but at the soonest possible time,” Carandang
said.
But Carandang said there was no plan to screen any travelers from Japan at this time. (PIA)