The Bureau of Customs has begun clearing more than a hundred container vans filled with long-delayed balikbayan boxes, allowing overseas Filipino workers and their families to finally receive packages that have been stuck at Philippine ports for months.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the development during an event at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, where new passenger facilities were formally launched. He said the release process would start on Tuesday, December 16, covering 130 container vans classified as abandoned.
“Nais ko rin ibalita na sinisimulan na ng BOC ang proseso upang maipamahagi ang isang daan at tatlumpung abandonadong container van na balikbayan boxes sa mga nagmamay-ari nito (I would also like to report that the BOC has already begun the process of distributing 130 abandoned container vans of balikbayan boxes to their rightful owners),” Marcos said.
According to the President, the boxes—sent by OFWs to their families—had remained inside customs facilities since last year. He explained that the shipments were left unclaimed after the companies responsible for transporting them failed to settle required fees with the Bureau of Customs.
“Ang nangyari po rito ay nagpadala po ang ating OFW ng balikbayan box, inuwi dito sa Pilipinas, yun naman mga nagdala, hindi naman binayaran ang mga dapat bayaran dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya e, nandoon, nakatiwangwang lang yung mga balikbayan box for almost —yung iba magwa-one year na, nandoon lang sa Bureau of Customs (What happened here is that our OFWs sent balikbayan boxes and brought them home to the Philippines, but the parties who transported them did not pay the required fees here in the Philippines. As a result, the balikbayan boxes were left unattended—some of them for almost a year—just sitting there at the Bureau of Customs),” he said.
Marcos stressed that the packages are privately owned and should not remain in government custody. He said authorities have now moved to return them to their intended recipients.
“Ngayon sinimulan na natin ang pagbibigay at ipagbabalik. Dahil hindi naman pagmamay-ari ng pamahalaan ‘yan. Pagmamay-ari ‘yan ng ating mga OFW. Kaya’t starting today, ire-release na natin (Now, we have begun the process of distributing and returning them. These do not belong to the government. They belong to our OFWs. Therefore, starting today, we will begin releasing them),” he added.
The President also gave assurance that efforts are being made to ensure families receive the boxes in time for the holiday season.
“Pipilitin natin. Yung mga iba rito, pinadala para pang Christmas gift noong nakaraang taon, kaya’t sa wakas, e, pipilitin natin matanggap naman nila ito bago dumating naman ang Pasko (We will do our best. Some of these were sent as Christmas gifts last year, so at last, we will make sure that they are able to receive them before Christmas comes again),” Marcos said.
He described the release of the shipments as part of broader efforts to improve government services for overseas Filipinos, particularly in making transactions more efficient and dependable.
The announcement coincided with the inauguration of new immigration e-gates at NAIA Terminal 3, attended by the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. The automated gates are designed to clear passengers in as little as 20 seconds. Also unveiled was a mezzanine food hall intended to provide travelers with improved areas for dining, rest, and leisure.
