The Bureau of Customs teamed up with the Office of the President via the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to safeguard the balikbayan boxes of overseas Filipino workers.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Michael Fermin of the Internal Administration Group, along with other key Customs officials, met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz on Aug. 3, 2023 at Malacañan to address the pressing issue of unscrupulous forwarders victimizing numerous OFWs abroad using balikbayan boxes.
Fermin presented the concrete actions taken by the Customs to support OFWs and facilitate the release of precious balikbayan boxes. One of the significant achievements highlighted was the successful release of 36 containers of abandoned consolidated shipments, comprising 9,689 boxes.
He said of these, 9,011 boxes were distributed to their respective owners, while 678 boxes remained unclaimed due to insufficient information. The Customs said it is committed to resolving this issue and reuniting these boxes with their rightful recipients.
The Customs said to combat the reprehensible activities of unscrupulous forwarders involved in the balikbayan box scheme, it filed 11 criminal complaints to bring the perpetrators to justice and safeguard the interests of OFWs.
The agency is also actively finalizing a joint memorandum agreement with the PAOCC, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Migrant Workers, forwarders and other stakeholders to streamline processes, enhance coordination and fortify efforts in safeguarding the welfare of OFWs and their balikbayan boxes.
Recognizing the importance of an informed and empowered OFW community, the Customs said it would intensify an information campaign through various social media platforms.
The bureau will also collaborate with the DMW to include comprehensive information about balikbayan box importation in the agency’s training program for OFWs. The initiative aims to educate OFWs about their rights, responsibilities and ways to protect their balikbayan boxes during shipping.
The Customs is also taking proactive measures by drafting a Customs Memorandum Order, which mandates the registration of deconsolidators with the BOC. The measure, along with the payment of a performance bond worth P2 million, will ensure that responsible parties are held accountable and that the handling of balikbayan boxes is carried out with the utmost care and efficiency.