DTI warns public, OFWs against bogus forwarders

CEBU, Philippines - While the Department of Trade and Industry is determined to clamp down the unregistered cargo forwarding companies operating in Cebu and the entire Central Visayas region, trade executives on the other hand are encouraging consumers to be more vigilant to avoid being victimized.

"We would like to warn consumers that there is an increasing number of modus operandi especially in the cargo forwarding service. Usual victims are OFWs who often send cargoes to the Philippines," said DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte in an interview.

According to Caberte, the DTI, together with other concerned agencies in the government already released an official warning December of last year on the proliferation of illegitimate forwarding companies here who have extensive connections abroad. However, the problem is still not solved, unless consumers will be more vigilant, and firm in giving their trust only to legitimate forwarding operators.

Extensive information dissemination had been done in countries where there is high Filipino concentration, but Caberte said there is also a need to do parallel efforts here and warn families of OFWs to tell their loved ones of the existence of bogus cargo forwarders.

Caberte made this statement following the announcement made by Philippines International Seafreight Forwarders Association (PISFA-Cebu) president Carmel Salvador to partner with DTI in curbing this problem.

"We are here to clamp them down. DTI is serious about this. A lot of Filipinos especially those working abroad and their families in the Philippines have already been victimized," said Caberte.

Caberte said it is easier for DTI to track down the illegitimate operators if the agency will have the support of the industry players.

"The timeline is -- as soon as possible," said Caberte.

At present, there are 51 legitimate cargo forwarder companies who are member of PISPA, and have accreditation from the Philippine Shippers Bureau. Double the number of this, are small, home-based cargo forwarders which are referred as "fly-by-night."

In 2012, the PSB has released a list of identified blacklisted cargo forwarders operating in different countries such as the US, Europe, Middle East, and United Arab Emirates.

DTI is also urging consumers to be participative in this campaign by informing the office of any information of suspected illegitimate forwarding service. (FREEMAN)