Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Thursday led the inspection and initial rollout for the delivery of 130,000 abandoned balikbayan boxes at the Port of Manila to ensure the packages reach the consignees in time for the holiday season.
Nepomuceno said the operation involves examining the contents and organizing the orderly distribution of the boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly from the Middle East to their families in the Philippines.
The boxes were left at the port after shipping processes were allegedly mishandled by consolidators and de-consolidators, who failed to settle required duties and taxes, prompting the cargo to be declared abandoned, the BOC said.
Nepomuceno stressed that the balikbayan boxes will be released to their rightful owners without any payment, in line with the government’s commitment to support the OFWs and their families. He added that safeguards are in place to verify ownership and prevent pilferage or erroneous delivery.
The Customs chief also said the BOC will pursue administrative and legal action against the de-consolidators responsible for abandoning the shipments, noting that accountability is necessary to deter similar incidents and protect OFWs from abuse in the logistics chain.
The rollout forms part of broader efforts by the BOC to clear port congestion, enforce Customs regulations, and provide relief to Filipino families, particularly during the Christmas season, Nepomuceno said.
