OFW families assured of receiving ‘BBBs’ for X’mas

On Nov 14, 2022

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, while inspecting some of the balikbayan boxes sent by OFWs in the Middle East prior to deliveries to their recipients. Under Ruiz, the BOC decided to forego the revenues due to them while also taking the initiative to have the packages delivered, free of charge. (photo credit: BOC-PIAD).

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) acting commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz, reiterated his assurance that families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially those working in the Middle East, can expect to receive the ‘balikbayan boxes’ on time for the Christmas season as the agency doubled up in its effort to have them delivered as scheduled.

Thus far, the BOC has already facilitated the release of 1,996 boxes since July, the month Ruiz took over as customs chief.

Of the figure, 1,667 boxes were delivered to their recipients while 329 boxes were picked up by their consignees.

The delivered packages included 1,450 boxes consigned to CMG International Movers and Cargo Services.

The remaining 30 boxes consigned to CMG were yet to be delivered due to “incomplete information, no confirmation or no response” received by the BOC from the recipients and senders.

More than 4,00 balikbayan boxes loaded in several containers ended up abandoned after the “consolidators” abroad, mainly based in the Middle East, reneged in the agreement to pay for the taxes and duties due to the government after they were received here by local “deconsolidators.”

To resolve the issue, the BOC, under, Ruiz, decided to forego of the revenue and even decided to shoulder the expenses in delivery in partnership with the ‘Door-to-Door Conslidators Association of the Philippines (DDCAP).

Ruiz said they have also met with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in going after unscrupulous foreign consolidators and prevent OFWs from being scammed of their hard-earned money.

The BOC also processed 1,154 balikbayan boxes consigned to Island Kabayan Express, 329 of which were picked up by recipients at Portnet Logistics Warehouse in Sta. Ana, Manila.

Subsequently, the BOC endorsed the remaining 825 boxes to the DDCAP for immediate delivery.

As of this posting, 217 parcels have been successfully delivered, 310 are out for delivery, and 210 are for dispatch, Ruiz added.

The 16 containers with 4,625 balikbayan boxes consigned to Win Balikbayan Cargo LLC (All Win) are currently under the custody of the Association of Bidders at the Bureau of Customs (ABBC) at Hobart Warehouse in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Several boxes were already distributed and picked up by consignees from the same warehouse.

The BOC intends to deliver the remaining unclaimed packages, particularly those bound for Visayas and Mindanao.

The BOC also extended the claiming of boxes at the Hobart Warehouse for another two weeks upon the request of consignees.

Pick-up schedule shall be announced once ABBC completes the inventory of the balikbayan boxes that was expected to be concluded on November 9, 2022.

Ruiz also thanked the ABBC for agreeing to have the boxes delivered to their rightful owners and foregoing their expected profit after winning the auction earlier held by the BOC for their proper disposal.