In line with its thrust of efficient and transparent public dissemination, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted a webinar entitled “Guidelines on the Processing of Balikbayan Boxes and Parcels” on October 26, 2021, at the NAIA Conference Room and via Zoom Teleconference.
In her welcome remarks, District Collector of NAIA, Carmelita M. Talusan stressed that as the Yuletide season approaches, the Bureau, together with the local couriers intends to ensure no delays in the sending of parcels and balikbayan boxes by the public.
Recognizing the crucial role of the local couriers in the processing and release of parcels, key officials of local couriers served as the resource speakers for the said activity. Mr. John Patrick De Leon, Operations Manager Federal Express Philippines, and Mr. Roger Tumlos, Acting Manager of Express Mail Exchange Department of the Philippine Postal Corporation enlightened the public about the procedures under the respective couriers.
For BOC’s part, Mr. Mark Jhon Almase, Subport Collector of Central Mail Exchange Center, and Mr. Antonio Meliton Pascual, Chief Customs Operations Officer of Manila International Container Port, both experts in the profession, served as resource speakers. Mr. Almase discussed BOC procedures in the processing and release of parcels. Meanwhile, Mr. Pascual discussed the procedures in the processing and release of balikbayan boxes.
The webinar was attended by Deputy Commissioner Donato B. San Juan and Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, District Collectors Romeo Allan Rosales and Michael Angelo Vargas, and other key officials of the Bureau. Public Information Officers and heads of the Customer Care Centers of ports nationwide were also present. The online viewers in the Zoom meeting and Facebook live coverage were comprised of Overseas Filipino Workers, Filipinos abroad, and travelers, among others.
In his closing remarks, Atty. Jose Lagac, Chief-of-Staff of the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group, assured the public that the Bureau will remain committed to further improving its procedures and processes to ensure excellent service to the public.
