The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has committed to hastening the release of delayed balikbayan box shipments in time for the Christmas season.
Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno assured the public that the agency is working diligently to ensure that balikbayan boxes reach recipients before Christmas, aligning with the government’s push for improved public service delivery during the holiday season.
This came after a meeting with Finance Secretary Frederick Go, in which the bureau was directed to immediately implement measures that would accelerate processing and delivery, noting the sentimental and economic value these packages carry for millions of Filipino households.
The finance chief emphasized that clearing the backlog of balikbayan boxes is a “top priority,” stressing the importance of ensuring that families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) receive their much-awaited holiday packages without further delay.
For his part, Nepomuceno said that the agency has been intensifying its enforcement operations, enhancing transparency measures, and improving digital systems to support faster and more efficient cargo processing.
He said these reforms are part of the BOC’s broader modernization drive, aimed at providing a more service-oriented and accountable customs administration.
On the other hand, Go reaffirmed the Department of Finance’s full support for the BOC’s reform agenda, recognizing its crucial role as a trillion-peso revenue generator.
The secretary underscored the need for continued improvements in operational integrity, digital infrastructure, and long-term institutional modernization. This includes addressing facility and logistical gaps, with ongoing efforts to secure funding for a new BOC headquarters and other critical upgrades.
Nepomuceno expressed gratitude for the DOF’s backing and reiterated the BOC’s commitment to uphold professionalism, efficiency, and integrity.
