OFW Party List Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino has reaffirmed her commitment to resolving the issue of abandoned balikbayan boxes, a matter of great importance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families back home.
As Christmas draws near, Rep. Magsino is pushing for an urgent resolution, particularly regarding the 14,000 abandoned boxes in ports across the country.
According to the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 11,708 of the 14,000 abandoned boxes from the Port of Cebu, Port of Batangas, Zamboanga, and NAIA have already been released or donated. However, 4,000 boxes remain stuck in government storage, with logistical and legal hurdles preventing their distribution. Rep. Magsino has emphasized the need to expedite their release, stressing that many OFW families are eagerly awaiting these packages, especially with the holidays fast approaching.
In a meeting with Rep. Magsino yesterday, the BOC outlined the key concerns it faces in handling the abandoned balikbayan boxes. These include:
-Legal mandates: Under existing law, once property is declared abandoned after 15 days, it becomes government property. This presents a legal barrier to quick disposal or distribution, and new legislation is needed to address this.
-Lack of recipient information: Deconsolidators and forwarders, who are responsible for shipping the boxes, often refuse to provide recipient lists or deny receiving the boxes. This creates an additional challenge in identifying who the rightful recipients are.
-Jurisdictional issues: The BOC has no authority over consolidators abroad, leaving a gap in accountability for the parties responsible for shipping and delivering the boxes.
-DSWD mandate: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), though a potential partner in distributing the boxes, does not have the legal mandate to handle this kind of distribution.
Rep. Magsino has advocated for immediate action, stating, “If there is an address on the boxes, we must find ways to deliver them to the intended recipients.” She further proposed that cases be filed against deconsolidators who refuse to cooperate, holding them accountable for the delay.
On its part, the BOC, recognizing the gravity of the situation, has suggested a “special procedure” for balikbayan boxes to ensure that OFWs are given a separate and expedited disposal method under the law.
The issue of unclaimed boxes after 15 days is one that the BOC cannot resolve through an executive order, as they are bound by existing laws. However, the BOC is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on amendments to streamline the process for OFW packages.
The BOC is also engaging the media to inform the public about the steps they can take to claim their boxes. Despite these efforts, the BOC has not provided a definitive timeline for the release of the remaining boxes, but Rep. Magsino has applied pressure to ensure they are released before Christmas.
In addition to pushing for immediate solutions, the BOC has recommended involving the Door to Door Consolidators Association of the Philippines (DDCAP), an accredited group that could help ensure smoother operations in the future. It also highlighted the need for legal reforms, emphasizing the importance of penalizing illegal practices by consolidators, which Rep. Magsino has vowed to raise at upcoming hearings.
The OFW Party List, under Rep. Magsino’s leadership, has committed to organizing a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting and a congressional hearing on her House Resolution 499 to further discuss these issues.
With the full support of agencies like the DMW and OWWA, Rep. Magsino is confident that a sustainable solution can be achieved, ensuring that OFWs can send packages home without fear of delays or abandonment.
The ongoing crisis surrounding balikbayan boxes is just one of many issues she is determined to resolve, standing firmly alongside OFWs and their families.
With Christmas fast approaching, Rep. Magsino’s relentless efforts to expedite the release of these balikbayan boxes highlight her dedication to serving the OFW community and ensuring that they remain connected to their loved ones, no matter the challenges.
