The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has established a Balikbayan Action Center (BAC) to protect balikbayan boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
According to their press release on Saturday, the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ directive for transparent and people-centered governance. In response, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno established a center to ensure the safe and secure delivery of OFW shipments, ensuring that their balikbayan boxes are handled with integrity and efficiency.
The agency stated that the BAC will be responsible for conducting in-depth research and analysis on issues related to balikbayan boxes in customs procedures. The center will also study best practices from other countries to help improve efficiency, transparency, and fairness in handling these shipments.
It will also explore possible collaborations with other government agencies and implement initiatives aimed at fully addressing concerns related to balikbayan boxes. Other functions may also be assigned to the center, as outlined in the official memorandum.
The BAC is led by the Bureau of Customs’ Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), with the Assistant Commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) serving as the unit’s spokesperson. Members of the center also include representatives from the Port Operations Service, the Public Information and Assistance Division (PIAD), and other relevant offices within the agency.
The BOC has instructed the center to submit an initial report within 30 days of receiving the memorandum. After that, the center is required to provide monthly progress updates to ensure accountability.
Furthermore, Nepomuceno said that the initiative reflects the BOC's strong commitment to protecting the welfare of Filipinos working abroad. By ensuring that balikbayan boxes are handled fairly and transparently, the agency aims to recognize the sacrifices of OFWs and strengthen its responsibility to serve them more effectively.
“By adopting this measure, the BOC demonstrates its resolve to pursue lasting solutions that go beyond its core mandate to enhance trade facilitation, strengthen border control, and improve collection of lawful revenues, by extending its efforts to safeguard the welfare of overseas Filipinos,” said the agency.
Moreover, it may be recalled that former OFW Partylist Representative Marissa Magsino strongly urged authorities to take swift and concrete action to address the widespread mishandling, delays, and loss of balikbayan boxes.
She also exposed the systemic problems affecting the delivery of balikbayan boxes, highlighting how some transporters engage in fraudulent practices, such as collecting customs fees from senders but failing to remit them, resulting in abandoned shipments. She also criticized alleged irregularities in the auctioning of unclaimed boxes, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the process.
Magsino emphasized that this ongoing problem continues to disrespect and diminish the sacrifices made by millions of OFWs and their families.
