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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nearly 3,000 mishandled balikbayan boxes turned over to DMW for OFW families

Nearly 3,000 mishandled balikbayan boxes turned over to DMW for OFW families

Published May 29, 2025 04:11 pm

Nearly 3,000 balikbayan boxes, which were mishandled and abandoned by freight forwarders, have been turned over to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for distribution to the families of Filipinos working abroad.

“These boxes, originally sent by OFWs [Overseas Filipino Workers] to their loved ones, were left unclaimed after being mishandled and abandoned by unscrupulous freight forwarders,” the BOC said in a statement released on Thursday, May 29.

According to the BOC, the distribution of these boxes aligns with the President's directive to ensure its services remain responsive to the needs of Filipino families.

With approval from the Department of Finance (DOF), the BOC officially declared the boxes forfeited and signed a deed of donation with the DMW.

“The DMW is now tasked with ensuring that these long-delayed packages finally reach the families they were meant for,” the BOC said. Rubio assured the public that the boxes will reach the intended recipients.

The turnover came after months of coordination between the BOC and the DMW since early 2024. 

“From securing legal clearances to overseeing documentation and handling logistics, the BOC took deliberate steps to ensure that the abandoned boxes could be released lawfully and properly,” the BOC said

“The DMW has since partnered with a logistics provider to ensure the safe and prompt delivery of the boxes to their rightful beneficiaries,” it added.

Related Tags

Bureau of Customs Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)
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