The Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with other government agencies, has identified measures to address the issue of unscrupulous forwarders victimizing numerous overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad using balikbayan boxes.
In a statement yesterday, the BOC said it is taking proactive measures by drafting a customs memorandum order which mandates the registration of deconsolidators with the BOC.
This 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.
The bureau is also finalizing a joint memorandum agreement with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), 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 BOC will also intensify an information campaign through various social media platforms.
Additionally, the bureau will collaborate with the DMW to include comprehensive information about balikbayan box importation in the agency’s training program for OFWs.
This initiative aims to educate OFWs about their rights, responsibilities and ways to protect their balikbayan boxes during shipping.
The BOC held a meeting last August 3 with executive secretary Lucas Bersamin and PAOCC undersecretary Gilberto Cruz to address this pressing concern.
Customs acting deputy commissioner Michael Fermin presented the concrete actions taken by the BOC to support OFWs and facilitate the release of their balikbayan boxes, such as the release of 36 containers of abandoned consolidated shipments, comprising 9,689 boxes.
Out of these, 9,011 boxes have been rightfully distributed to their respective owners, while 678 boxes remain unclaimed due to insufficient information. The BOC said it remains committed to resolving this issue and reuniting these boxes with their rightful recipients.
To combat the reprehensible activities of unscrupulous forwarders involved in the balikbayan box scheme, the BOC has filed 11 criminal complaints to bring the perpetrators to justice and safeguard the interests of OFWs.
