In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and deliver compassionate, people-centered public service, the Bureau of Customs (BOC), through the Port of Davao, officially turned over 2,954 abandoned balikbayan boxes to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in a ceremonial event held on May 29, 2025, in Davao City.

These boxes, originally sent by OFWs to their loved ones, were left unclaimed after being mishandled and abandoned by unscrupulous freight forwarders at the Port of Davao. With the approval of the Department of Finance, the BOC declared the boxes forfeited and officially donated them to the DMW through a signed Deed of Donation. The DMW will now take charge of ensuring that the boxes finally reach their rightful recipients.

The event highlights the government’s continuing efforts to protect the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families, in line with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize services that directly benefit the Filipino people.

Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio acknowledged the BOC playing a central role in this significant undertaking for overseas Filipino workers.

“These boxes are more than just packages — they’re filled with love, hope, and sacrifice,” said BOC Commissioner Rubio. “We know how much these mean to our kababayans. 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.”

District Collector Maita S. Acevedo of the Port of Davao echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the donation of the boxes to the DMW reflects the agency’s deep respect and recognition for OFWs and their families.

Collector Acevedo, through her message delivered by Deputy Collector for Operations–Port of Davao, Atty. Giovanni Ferdinand A. Leynes, emphasized, “These balikbayan boxes are testament to the quiet resilience of our modern-day heroes. Sa ahensyang ito, hindi lamang tayo tagapangalaga ng kalakalan. Tayo rin ay kaagapay sa paghahatid ng pag-asa lalo na sa ating mga bagong bayani.”

In his address, DMW Assistant Secretary for Reintegration, Atty. Francis Ron C. De Guzman expressed his gratitude to the BOC for its tireless and consistent cooperation in ensuring that the balikbayan boxes, donated for distribution, reached their intended beneficiaries. He remarked on the agency’s enduring partnership, saying, “Allow me first to acknowledge our esteemed partners for today’s meeting. And when I say partner, talaga namang nandiyan. The Bureau of Customs has always been there from day one to day zero, assisting us, helping us to deliver the symbol of hope, symbol of love to the overseas Filipino workers and their families.”

The ceremonial turnover was attended by representatives from the DMW, BOC, Commission on Audit, and other partner agencies. It was the result of months of sustained coordination and hard work that began when the BOC proactively reached out to the DMW in 2024. From securing legal clearances to overseeing documentation and handling logistics, the BOC took deliberate steps to ensure that the abandoned boxes could be released lawfully and properly.

Moving forward, the DMW will facilitate the distribution and delivery of the boxes to the intended beneficiaries, families of OFWs, through an identified logistics company. This ensures that the boxes will be handled with care and reach their rightful owners in the soonest possible time.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Rubio, the BOC continues to pursue reforms that go beyond trade and enforcement. By aligning its efforts with the needs of the people, the BOC shows that customs service can be both efficient and compassionate.

###