Tensions rise in releasing of balikbayan boxes in Bulacan

Tensions rose at a warehouse in Bulacan over the weekend, following unclear directions on the release of balikbayan boxes following the months-long delay in the delivery of the shipments from the Middle East.

Several families who expected to collect their packages from overseas Filipinos flocked to a warehouse in Balagtas, Bulacan operated by FR Agbay, but a representative of the operator said they were told not to release them.

“Pinapapigil sa atin ni Director [Michael] Fermin ng Bureau of Customs (BOC). Hindi ko alam bakit nila pinipigil,” Roberto Uy, representative of FR Agbay, said in Vonne Aquino's report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(Director Fermin of the BOC ordered a halt [to the release]. I do not know why they are stopping this.)

This comes as thousands of balikbayan boxes — mainly from the Middle East — have been abandoned by foreign courier services at the BOC, with local delivery services working to have them shipped.

With recipients adamant that they were not leaving without their packages, some already seven months delayed, the firm coordinated with the BOC and the shipments were then cleared to be released.

According to Customs Director Michael Fermin, the boxes should be delivered to the address of the intended recipients, and should not have been picked up at the warehouse.

“These boxes should be delivered at no cost to the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). What they’re doing now, they incur expenses,” said Fermin.

Moving forward, Fermin said the firm should ensure that the remaining packages were delivered to the respective addresses to avoid any backlogs ahead of the Christmas holidays.

BOC and FR Agbay representatives are set to meet on Monday, November 7, to iron out the issue. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA Integrated News