Stronger balikbayan box security sought

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the President and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) are partnering with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to provide additional layers of security to prevent the loss or theft of balikbayan boxes.

In a statement Sunday, the BOC said that its Internal Administration Group acting deputy commissioner Michael Fermin met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and PAOCC Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz at Malacañang on Aug. 3.

Fermin reported that the BOC has filed 11 criminal complaints against unscrupulous freight forwarding companies involved in the balikbayan box scheme.

The BOC succeeded in releasing 36 containers of abandoned consolidated shipments comprising 9,689 boxes, he added.

A joint memorandum of agreement to streamline processes, enhance coordination and fortify efforts in safeguarding balikbayan boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers is also being finalized by the BOC.

Signatories to this memorandum are the PAOCC, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Migrant Workers, forwarders and other stakeholders.

A Customs memorandum order is also being drafted for the registration of deconsolidators along with the payment of a P2-million performance bond, which would ensure that responsible parties are held accountable and the handling of balikbayan boxes is careful and efficient.