In a major milestone for the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) officially commenced the distribution of the final wave of abandoned balikbayan boxes on February 18, 2026.
This initiative, funded through the direct approval of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring that the hard-earned gifts and essentials sent by Filipinos abroad reach their families after long, unauthorized delays by erring forwarders.
DOF Secretary Frederick D. Go and BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno personally led the distribution at the BOC Grounds in Port Area, Manila. During the event, 28 OFWs and their families were reunited with their long-awaited shipments.
Beyond the physical turnover, the event featured a direct dialogue between government officials and OFWs. Secretary Go and Commissioner Nepomuceno addressed the root causes of shipment abandonment and detailed ongoing reforms designed to streamline processing and eliminate red tape, improve transparency throughout the logistics chain.
“This is about restoring trust and protecting our OFWs,” said Commissioner Nepomuceno. “We are committed not only to completing the delivery of these abandoned boxes but also to reforming systems and enforcing accountability so these abuses never happen again.”
The government’s intervention is divided into two major waves, utilizing a combination of port releases and door-to-door deliveries.
Currently, 14 containers from the final wave have been released from the Manila International Container Port (MICP). The remaining 58 containers are undergoing expedited processing, pending clearances and the waiver of port charges.
The DOF and BOC are not merely delivering boxes; they are pursuing justice. The agencies are actively assisting affected OFWs in filing criminal complaints with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against unscrupulous freight forwarders.
To avoid future victimization, the BOC issues the following Advisory for OFWs:
Verify First: Transact only with licensed and reputable freight forwarders.
Documentation: Always keep copies of official receipts and tracking numbers.
Red Flags: Exercise extreme caution against “unusually low” shipping rates.
Report Abuses: Coordinate immediately with the BOC or DTI if a shipment is delayed beyond the standard timeframe.
The Department of Finance and the Bureau of Customs remain steadfast in their mission to safeguard the interests of the country’s modern-day heroes through lasting reforms and transparent governance.
