Immediately after the turn-over ceremony on July 25, 2022, Yogi Filemon Ruiz, the newly appointed Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner, led the inspection of the Atlas Express Padala, Inc. hub in Gerona, Tarlac to facilitate the delivery of the Balikbayan Boxes of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the Middle East. Accompanying him was Mr. Joel P. Longares, the Door-to-Door Consolidators Association of the Philippines (DDCAP) President.

Present in the inspection were members of the DDCAP, namely, Mr. Anthony Eugenio of ABXP, Mr. Arlie Terro of Cargoflex, and Mr. Raffy Fabia of RRG Freight Services. Inspected were seven containers with around 1,800-2,000 Balikbayan Boxes abandoned by CMG International Movers and Cargo Services. The inspection is in preparation for the delivery of the balikbayan boxes to the ultimate consignees which shall be spearheaded by the DDCAP.

Commissioner Ruiz and Mr. Longares agreed to set the target dates for the delivery of the boxes to their recipients. The boxes for Luzon will be delivered in August while boxes destined for Visayas and Mindanao are targeted for release until mid-September.

In his statement, Commissioner Ruiz reiterated the continuous assistance of the BOC to the affected OFWs in their plight of providing support to their families.