THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) under Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno finally cracked the whip on erring and freight forwarders by suspending for two months the accreditation of a Cavite-based cargo ‘deconsolidator’ of packages sent by Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs).
In an announcement, the BOC said suspended for “non-compliance” is Makati Express Cargo, Inc. (MECI), which is based in Bgy. Pasong Camachile 2, General Trias, Cavite.
The suspension was imposed following MECI’s failure to comply with the Show Cause Order (SCO) issued last October 23, which required the company to settle its outstanding duties and taxes and to explain within three days why its accreditation should not be revoked and its transactions with the bureau prohibited.
“The Bureau of Customs will continue to enforce accountability and protect the welfare of our OFWs,” said Commissioner Nepomuceno.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all forwarding companies comply with customs laws and that our kababayans can trust that their hard-earned shipments reach their families safely and without delay.”
MECI, the agency noted, has numerous containers of Balikbayan Boxes left unclaimed and unpaid across several ports, including Cebu, Manila International Container Port (MICP), and Davao.
Some of these containers were found to have been overstaying for an extended period, with several already declared abandoned.
Nepomuceno added they are now coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in taking “appropriate measures” to ensure that the affected Balikbayan Boxes are properly accounted for and delivered to their intended recipients, especially with the arrival of the Christmas season.
He added the BOC will also coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for appropriate action on MECI’s accreditation with the Trade department.
Ensuring that boxes and packages sent home by OFWs are received by their families safely and on time is among the key instructions of President Marcos Junior to the agency at the start of his presidency.