BOC cites lack of equipment to justify balikbayan box inspections

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Sunday said it lacks the equipment to allow it to "efficiently" check incoming balikbayan boxes, as it justified the need to conduct random manual inspections amid the public outrage, mostly coming from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

 

"We are not after the OFWs or their pasalubong to families. We are after the smugglers who have resorted to using the balikbayan boxes and consolidated shipments to smuggle contraband in the country," the BOC said in a statement.

 

The bureau assured OFWs that the stricter rules on shipment of balikbayan boxes are meant only to curb illegal smuggling in the country.

 

"Stricter compliance is necessary because the rules on consolidated shipments have been abused. Hindi Customs ang nagbabalak abusuhin ang mga OFWs. Ang gusto namin sa Customs ay matigil na ang pang-aabuso sa sistema na dulot ng smugglers," it said. 

 

The BOC statement further said that there are existing rules providing the inspection of balikbayan boxes. 

 

It said the agency "is not technologically equipped to inspect all incoming boxes as efficiently as we want."

 

The BOC assured OFWs and their families that they will be properly assisted if they have or will experience tampering or missing items from their balikbayan boxes.

 

Malacañang gets feedback

 

The outrage of OFWs, expressed mostly through social media, has also reached Malacañang.

 

"Humingi tayo ng feedback mula sa ating mga OFW...Sinisigurado natin na makakarating ang mga hinaing at reklamo kay Customs Commissioner Bert Lina at lalo na kay Pangulong Aquino," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview.

 

Valte said she received several videos and photos of balikbayan boxes, which were reported to have been tampered with or stolen from by BOC inspectors. 

 

Non-intrusive inspection

 

Meanwhile, Senator Ralph Recto questioned BOC officials on the status of non-intrusive inspection techniques, which he said are already funded under the agency's operating budget for this year. 

 

He said the BOC was allocated P298 million in funds for the upkeep of 30 X-ray machines, which can scan one 40- and 20-foot shipping container in minutes and are installed in the country‘s 10 biggest ports.

 

He said the machines were acquired in 2006 at a cost of $2.5 million each through a loan from the Chinese government.

 

“It was designed to replace tedious, inefficient manual and balikbayan box-to-balikbayan box inspection. Ang justification ay gamitin ang teknolohiya para tanggalin ang panghuhula kung ano ang dapat buksan," Recto said. 

 

Recto added that the BOC invited bidders in 2013 to a P148-million contract to supply 20 X-ray machines to be installed in airports.

 

The senator likewise urged the government to triple to $1,500 the current allowed value of the contents of balikbayan box exempt from taxes. The current limit is set at $500.

 

“Ibalato na natin sa mga OFWs ang balikbayan boxes kasi ang pagpapadala n’yan sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay ay isang paraan para mabawasan nila ng konti ang kanilang kalungkutan,” he said.

 

"The bigger issue is for BOC to run after big-time smugglers, those who, for example, bring in rice in ships as big as a mall,” Recto added. —ALG, GMA News