Over 2,000 abandoned balikbayan boxes were turned over by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday in Davao City.
A total of 2,954 boxes left unclaimed due to mishandling and abandonment by freight forwarding companies were donated to the DMW following approval from the Department of Finance through a Deed of Donation.
The ceremonial turnover was attended by representatives from the DMW, BOC, Commission on Audit, and other partner agencies. The DMW will distribute the boxes to intended beneficiaries through an identified logistics company in the soonest possible time.
Discussions about the abandoned packages have been ongoing since 2024. Last February, DMW also facilitated the release of 42 delayed and mishandled balikbayan boxes in Valenzuela City.
DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, in an earlier statement, said that this issue stems from what is described as a cargo forwarding scam where the cargo forwarder used by an OFW fails to pay its partner consignee in the Philippines, resulting in the packages being held.