25,818 balikbayan boxes released

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 25,818 balikbayan boxes abandoned by cargo handlers have been delivered to the families of overseas Filipino workers.

As of Monday, the government had released 13,842 boxes in Cebu, 8,475 at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), 2,699 in Subic, 732 in Davao and 70 at the Port of Manila.

Still pending are 15,084 boxes, most of which are at the MICP (14,487) and in Cebu (498).

Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno vowed to accelerate the release of the remaining shipments.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go has advised the public to remain vigilant and transact only with legitimate freight forwarders.–