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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Government strengthens policy vs delayed delivery, missing balikbayan boxes

Government strengthens policy vs delayed delivery, missing balikbayan boxes

Published Jun 9, 2025 06:04 pm
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac signs the Joint Administrative Order on Balikbayan Boxes with heads and representatives of various government agencies. (photo: DMW)
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac signs the Joint Administrative Order on Balikbayan Boxes with heads and representatives of various government agencies. (photo: DMW)

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has crafted a policy with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other government agencies to ensure that all balikbayan boxes are not only delivered but also done without delay.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the result was the signing of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on Balikbayan Boxes which was aimed at protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from fraudulent freight forwarding schemes and long-standing delays in balikbayan box deliveries.

“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,” said Cacdac.

He said 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, Cacdac emphasized, will warn OFWs against using unaccredited forwarders and inform them of their rights and options.

How it started

Over the years, the government has been receiving complaints from OFWs about undelivered, delayed, or lost balikbayan boxes.

The balikbayan boxes issues became the subject of hearings and investigations by the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (HCOWA) chaired by Congressman Jude A. Acidre. 

During the March 2025 committee hearing, HCOWA identified systematic gaps in regulation, enforcement, and grievance redress, and formally directed executive agencies to craft a Joint Administrative Order to provide a unified, government-wide solution.

In compliance with the directive, the DMW and BOC jointly led the Technical Working Group that developed the JAO, working closely with the Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, Department of Transportation (DOTr), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Since 2023, the DMW and the BOC has helped facilitate the retrieval and delivery of over 9,900 balikbayan boxes. Just last week, 2,500 more boxes were received at the Port of Davao and are now being prepared for delivery free of charge to rightful recipients in Mindanao. 

For unrecovered boxes, the DMW has made available ₱30,000 in financial assistance per affected OFW under the AKSYON Fund, supported by expanded guidelines for faster and more inclusive assistance.

Related Tags

DMW Balikbayan boxes
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