ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Australian government continued its technical support to the government’s effort to improve services in Mindanao by extending various equipment worth P.5 million.

The Australian Aid for International Development (AusAID) turned over the various equipment to key officials of this city headed by Leonilo Miole, manager of the Philippine Ports Authority–Port Management Office (PPA-PMO).

This is line with the thrust of enhancing coordination and delivery of customs, immigration, quarantine and security services in Mindanao and Palawan, the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) said in a statement sent to the Manila Bulletin.

Included in the P.5 million aid for the city were hand-held radios, desktop computers and printers, and other vital facilities for day-to-day airport and seaport operations.

The AusAID donations were handed over to Miole, Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group director Senior Supt Danilo Abadiano and Zamboanga City Airport manager Celso Bayabos of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Also included but yet to be turned over are several closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for the Zamboanga seaport.

MEDCo said the equipment were granted through the BIMP-EAGA Support Team (BEST) on CIQS Project, funded by AusAID and implemented by MEDCo.