To safeguard the hard-earned gifts of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and speed up their delivery, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have signed a joint administrative order (JAO) aimed at fixing long-standing issues surrounding balikbayan boxes.
The move comes after OFWs raised serious concerns over delays, losses, and mishandling of boxes during a congressional hearing in March. The newly signed JAO introduces strict regulations across the sea cargo forwarding industry, promising both stronger safeguards and faster resolution of complaints.
“This is a concrete step to protect the trust and hard work of our modern-day heroes,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. “We owe it to our OFWs to handle their balikbayan boxes with the utmost care. This is not just a duty. It is a moral responsibility.”
According to the DMW, the order not only outlines clear responsibilities for both domestic and international forwarders but also requires Customs to implement tougher rules on the registration of deconsolidators and their partners abroad. An official list of accredited freight companies will be made available on the BOC’s website, helping OFWs avoid unlicensed and potentially fraudulent providers.
The JAO also includes a multi-agency system to quickly report and resolve cases of undelivered or missing packages. An information drive is also planned to warn OFWs about using unaccredited couriers and to inform them of their rights.
Joining the DMW and BOC in implementing the order are the Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Philippine Ports Authority.
Since 2023, the BOC and DMW have recovered and delivered more than 9,900 balikbayan boxes. Most recently, 2,954 boxes were handed over by Customs to the DMW for distribution to OFW families. For boxes that remain missing, the DMW has provided financial assistance of ₱30,000 per affected sender through its AKSYON Fund.
