DMW, Customs ink order to hasten delivery of OFW balikbayan boxes

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Monday signed a joint administrative order that seeks to hasten the delivery of balikbayan boxes and protect senders from scams.

The order was in response to the complaints from overseas Filipino workers about undelivered, delayed, or lost balikbayan boxes, with the issue brought up during a House committee hearing in March. 

“The Joint Administrative Order establishes a whole-of-government framework to regulate the sea cargo forwarding industry, protect OFWs from scams, and ensure balikbayan boxes reach their destination safely and on time,” the DMW said in a statement. 

“The JAO also includes a multi-agency complaints and monitoring system to fast-track the reporting, tracking, and resolution of cases involving delayed or lost boxes. Public education campaign will warn OFWs against using unaccredited forwarders and inform them of their rights and options,” it added. 

Under the JAO, both the DMW and the BOC will work closely with the Department of Finance, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, the Department of Transportation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Philippine Ports Authority.

In a news release, the BOC said the JAO also sets clear standards and responsibilities for both foreign and domestic sea cargo freight forwarders handling balikbayan boxes. 

The order aims to prevent delays, mishandling, and abuses by unscrupulous players in the logistics chain.

In particular, under the order, the Customs will implement strict rules for the registration and regulation of deconsolidators and their foreign partners. 

A public list of accredited forwarders will be posted on the BOC website to help OFWs choose reliable service providers, it said.

“This is a concrete step to protect the trust and hard work of our modern-day heroes,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

“We owe it to our OFWs to handle their balikbayan boxes with the utmost care. This is not just a duty. It is a moral responsibility,” he added.

The DMW and the BOC were able to retrieve and deliver more than 9,900 balikbayan boxes since 2023.

The BOC recently turned over 2,954 balikbayan boxes to the DMW for distribution to their intended recipients, the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

For unrecovered boxes, the DMW has provided P30,000 cash assistance to each affected OFW through the AKSYON Fund. — Vince Angelo Ferreras with Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News