MANILA – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is looking to deliver thousands of "balikbayan" boxes abandoned in a Manila port to the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in two months.
“Hopefully within 60 days, but we are not sure how fast our forwarders (can do it). What is important is we will release these containers in the next few days," BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in an interview during the inspection of more than 100 container vans loaded with balikbayan boxes at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Friday.
Nepomuceno noted that some of the balikbayan boxes have been at the port for several months, even more than two years.
The boxes contain food items and personal effects, among others.
Nepomuceno said they are also coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers for the release of the container vans to forwarders.
The inspection was conducted with the National Bureau of Investigation.
The BOC advised the public to access https://customs.gov.ph/home/overseas-filipino-worker-ofw/, for updates.
Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the release of the fund for the door-to-door delivery of the packages to their rightful owners nationwide. (PNA)