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Abandoned OFW Balikbayan boxes finally being deliverd after cargo scam

Izzy Lee

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Thursday that efforts were nearly complete to deliver balikbayan boxes that were abandoned by a cargo forwarding company, which the agency has labeled a scam.DMW Assistant Secretary Francis de Guzman said the first batch of donated balikbayan boxes, which arrived at Davao Port in 2023 and 2024, consisted of twelve containers totaling around 2,500 boxes.Many of these boxes had remained undelivered for years before the DMW took steps to complete their delivery.“As of November, December, nagtala na tayo ng delivery rate, 95 percent delivery rate. &#x27;Yung pong natitirang 5 percent, pinipilit pa rin nating siyang ma-deliver sa mga consignees of kamag-anak po ng ating mga kababayan po,&quot; De Guzman said.He added that logistical challenges remained, as some recipients had moved, changed addresses, or updated contact details.The cargo forwarding company involved has been suspended by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/29/nearly-3k-abandoned-balikbayan-boxes-turned-over-to-dmw-1825">Nearly 3K ‘abandoned’ balikbayan boxes turned over to DMW</a></div>&quot;Ito po &#x27;yung marami raming natengga, hindi nadeliver na mga balikbayan boxes. As of last count po by Customs, umaabot na po ito sa 80 to 90 containers all around the Philippines po na hindi pa rin niya nadedeliver,&quot; he said.The DMW is working with BOC and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to expedite their release and delivery and have labeled the company unscrupulous.Once the deliveries of the Mindanao batch of balikbayan boxes are completed, the DMW will begin processing the boxes at Manila Container Port, which were also abandoned by two other cargo forwarding companies.&quot;In the coming days, pangangalanan lahat ng mga nagkaproblema,&quot; said DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac.The DMW and BOC are preparing to file charges against the companies, which could result in penalties, fines, and potential imprisonment.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/17/dmw-coordinating-with-boc-for-release-of-undistributed-balikbayan-boxes-1612">DMW coordinating with BOC for release of undistributed Balikbayan boxes</a></div>

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Thursday that efforts are nearly complete to deliver balikbayan boxes that were abandoned by a cargo forwarding company, which the agency has labeled a scam.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced Thursday that efforts are nearly complete to deliver balikbayan boxes that were abandoned by a cargo forwarding company, which the agency has labeled a scam.

Abandoned OFW Balikbayan boxes finally being delivered after cargo scam

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Abandoned OFW Balikbayan boxes finally being delivered after cargo scam

Izzy Lee,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 27, 2025 04:31 PM PHT

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Updated November 27, 2025 04:55 PM PHT

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Balikbayan

Department of Migrant Workers

DMW

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