President Marcos lends help to effect deliveries of Balikbayan boxes

On Jan 4, 2026

Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno speaking during the 'send-off' ceremony at the Port of Manila to signal the free, door-to-door delivery of Balikbayan boxes to their legitimate recipients, Port of Manila, December 18, 2025. The Customs Chief also thanked President Marcos Junior and Finance Secretary Frederick Go, for ensuring that the boxes would be delivered free of charge (photo: BOC-PIAD).

PRESIDENT Marcos Junior immediately stepped into the picture to ensure the delivery of hundreds of ‘Balikbayan’ boxes that remain under the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for several years already after being abandoned by freight forwarders and consolidators.

In a simple ‘send-off’ ceremony at the Port of Manila last December 18, Commissioner Ariel. F Nepomuceno was profuse in thanking the Office of the President for agreeing to release some P30 million to pay for the cost of delivery of the boxes to their respective consignees free of charge.

The Customs chief also thanked Finance Secretary Frederick Go for taking the cudgel for the agency by bringing to the President’s attention their dilemma.

Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno was joined by MICP District Collector Felipe Geoffrey de Vera and Assistant to the Commissioner Charlie Bathan (back, standing) in hearing out the sad stories of some OFWs related to their undelivered Balikbayan boxes (photo: BOC-PIAD).

It can be recalled that since the start of his administration in 2022, the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has always been a priority of the Chief Executive.

In response, Comm. Nepomuceno created the ‘Balikbayan and OFW Action Center’ that is specifically tasked to address the long festering issue of undelivered Balikbayan boxes for their door-to-door delivery, free of charge.

“Isa ito sa mga problemang agad nating tinutukan sa pagsisimula ng ating panunungkulan.

“Batid natin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFW, at bawat balikbayan box ay bunga ng kanilang pagsusumikap para sa pamilya,” the Commissioner said.

Deputy Commissioner and BOAC chair Michael Fermin said they are in constant communication with the Finance Department, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other agencies to further hasten the boxes’ delivery to their legitimate recipients.

“Ang distribusyon ng mga balikbayan boxes na ito ay libre. Wala pong dapat bayaran. Anumang humihingi ng bayad ay maaaring isumbong sa Bureau of Customs,” Fermin also stressed.