To protect the balikbayan boxes shipped by the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) to their relatives and loved ones here in the Philippines, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto called for the immediate “activation and convening” of the congressional oversight committee.
He said this will help to streamline the guidelines for OFWs' shipment of balikbayan boxes.
This is because Recto believes that the current guidelines of the Bureau of Custom’s (BOC) on balikbayan boxes remain vulnerable to pilferage and theft by corrupt Customs personnel.
Read Also: OFWs, Starting August 1, Show Receipt of New Items If You Are Sending Balikbayan Box
Recto voices his concern after BOC released a guideline on how an OFW can send home a balikbayan box. In the guidelines, it includes requirements to paste on a box a detailed list of contents and put inside the purchase receipts of brand new goods.
Recto said he shares the apprehension of many OFWs that attaching a list of contents was “tantamount to providing a keyhole that might tempt unscrupulous handlers to open it and rid it of its contents.”
The Senator added that he is recognizing the mandate of BOC to ensure the tax-free balikbayan boxes are not being abused by smugglers.
But it is also important that implemented rules will not bring inconvenience to millions of OFWs.
But it is also important that implemented rules will not bring inconvenience to millions of OFWs.
Read Also: Top 10 Items Found in Balikbayan Boxes
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