Government to tighten oversight on sea cargo forwarding

Delayed, lost balikbayan boxes

MANILA, Philippines — The government is setting up a system to regulate the sea cargo forwarding industry, in response to widespread complaints from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) about delayed delivery or lost balikbayan boxes.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other partner agencies, signed yesterday a joint administrative order (JAO) meant to protect OFWs from fraudulent forwarding schemes.

Under the JAO, a multi-agency complaints and monitoring system shall be set up to fast-track the reporting, tracking and resolution of cases involving delayed or lost boxes.

Concerned government agencies shall also mount a campaign warning OFWs against using unaccredited forwarders and inform them of their rights and options.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the JAO establishes a whole-of-government framework to regulate the sea cargo forwarding industry, protect OFWs from scams and ensure that balikbayan boxes reach their destination safely and on time.

Since 2023, the DMW and the BOC have helped facilitate the retrieval and delivery of over 9,900 balikbayan boxes.

Last week, 2,500 more boxes were received at the Port of Davao and are now being prepared for delivery free of charge to rightful recipients in Mindanao.

The DMW has extended P30,000 in financial assistance to every OFW whose balikbayan boxes were undelivered.

Following hearings and investigations in March 2025, the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs directed executive agencies to craft a JAO to provide a unified, government-wide solution to address the fraudulent forwarding schemes.

At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview yesterday, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the DMW is open to receiving complaints and is ready to extend legal assistance to OFWs.

Olalia said the DMW is also mounting a legal clinic caravan in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries where there are large concentrations of OFWs and helping those filing formal complaints.

He said Filipino abroad who are facing legal problems may visit the Migrant Workers, while those who are already here in the country can seek help at the DMW regional office, where a lawyer is readily available.