Customs, DMW to go after consolidators that abandoned balikbayan boxes

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Tuesday said it is continuously coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to hold accountable consolidators or freight forwarding entities that abandoned thousand of balikbayan boxes from the Middle East.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras,” BOC spokesperson Arnaldo dela Torre Jr. said they are still investigating and identifying the firms to file appropriate charges against them. They are also pushing for stricter policies to avoid a repeat of the incident.

“’Yun pong sistema na kung saan magiging jointly liable, solidarily liable 'yung nandito sa Pilipinas na consolidator para mahabol 'yung consolidator abroad na kung saan nagpabaya at inabandona 'yung mga container vans na laman ay balikbayan boxes, and to file appropriate cases against errant freight forwarders,” he said.

The customs official’s remarks came a day after several individuals flocked to a warehouse in Balagtas, Bulacan, expecting they could finally receive the packages sent by their loved ones.

However, a representative of the warehouse told them they were instructed not to release the boxes, causing tension to rise.

Dela Torre explained the BOC wants to create an inventory of the packages before delivery. He also said the bureau should inform the recipients of the packages.

“Mahirap naman po na nailagay na agad sa bodega 'yung mga balikbayan boxes na laman noong 16 container vans pero walang na-institute na sistema kaya we recommended po na this coming November 9, magkaroon ng imbentaryo na maayos upang 'yung mga locations, by areas, para mas ma-identify nang mas mabilis,” the official said.

Further, he said the packages should not be picked up but delivered to the recipients’ residences free of charge.

“Kinakampanya po natin na 'wag na po sana silang magastusan pa at di po sapilitan 'yung pag-claim ng balikbayan boxes,” dela Torre added.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News