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The Bureau of Customs recently turned over 2,954 abandoned balikbayan boxes to the Department of Migrant Workers in Davao City
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The boxes were abandoned at the Port of Davao by freight forwarders and left unclaimed for an extended period
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BOC declared the items forfeited and formally turned them over to the DMW
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) officially turned over 2,954 abandoned balikbayan boxes to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for distribution to families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), following clearance from the Department of Finance (DOF).
The handover took place on May 29 in a ceremonial event in Davao City.
The boxes, sent by OFWs abroad, were abandoned at the Port of Davao by freight forwarders and left unclaimed for an extended period. After completing due process, the BOC declared the boxes forfeited and finalized a Deed of Donation to formally transfer custody to the DMW.
Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio in a statement described the boxes as more than material packages. “They’re filled with love, hope, and sacrifice,” he said. “That’s why we made it our mission to return them. With DMW’s help, we’re making sure they finally reach the homes they were meant for.”
The DMW, which will oversee final delivery, acknowledged BOC’s role in initiating and sustaining the effort.
The turnover was the result of months of coordination between the BOC and DMW, beginning in 2024. The process involved securing legal clearances, managing documentation, and arranging logistics. With the formal donation complete, the DMW will now begin distribution via a designated logistics provider.
Representatives from the Commission on Audit and other agencies also attended the event.
The BOC said this initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to uphold the rights and dignity of OFWs. Rubio noted that the bureau’s current reform agenda includes initiatives that extend beyond enforcement and border control to support Filipino communities directly.
