The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has facilitated the release and distribution of 42 “balikbayan” boxes to their rightful owners on Wednesday.
The shipment of these boxes sent by a number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to their families and loved ones in the Philippines has been delayed for several months, a social media post of the agency said.
Many OFWs had earlier posted on the Facebook page of the DMW, expressing their frustration over the long-overdue delivery of their packages.
Cherry Liz, an OFW from Thailand, voiced her grievances, asking for help over missing and undelivered boxes.
“Hello po sana may makapansin na admin. OFW din po ako from Thailand and meron din po ako balikbayan box from March 2024, till now nasa BOC (Bureau of Customs) pa rin po. Baka po pwede maka-ask ng help (Hello, I hope an admin will notice. I am also an OFW from Thailand and I also have a balikbayan box from March 2024, until now it is still in the BOC. Maybe I could ask for help?)?” she said.
Cacdac vowed to assist the OFWs in recovering their delayed shipments during a House hearing on Feb. 4
This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide all the necessary assistance to the OFWs’ on their concerns,” he said.
The DMW, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), retrieved the balikbayan boxes from a warehouse in Valenzuela City and arranged their transport to recipients in Cavite, Batangas, and Negros Occidental.
In 2024, the DMW assisted in the delivery of 9,997 balikbayan boxes.
The agency said Assistant Secretaries Venecio Legaspi and Francis Ron De Guzman, along with Foreign Stakeholders Relations and Engagement Bureau Director Jun Aguilar, continue to lead coordination efforts to expedite the release of shipments.
Aside from box retrieval, the DMW provides financial support through the AKSYON Fund for OFWs who have fallen victim to balikbayan box scams.
Meanwhile, an OFW from the United Arab Emirates, Jess Selby, sees hope for her delayed boxes.
“Hay salamat naman at naaksyunan na mga modus. Grabe hindi nila alam hirap namin mga OFW mapuno lang ang balikbayan box (It’s good that action has been taken. They don’t know the sacrifices we OFWs make just to fill these balikbayan boxes),” she said. – PNA
