Approximately 2,954 abandoned “balikbayan” boxes are set to be sent to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) regional offices for return to the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Mindanao, following a turnover ceremony on Thursday.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) – Port of Davao facilitated the transfer of these consolidated “balikbayan” boxes at the Terminal Facilities and Services Corp. (TEFASCO) Port in Barangay Ilang, Davao City.

“These boxes are more than just packages –they’re filled with love, hope, and sacrifice. We know how much these mean to our kababayans,” BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in a statement.

“That’s why we made it our mission to return them. With DMW’s help, we’re making sure they finally reach the homes they were meant for.”

In an interview, DMW Assistant Secretary for Reintegration Services Francis Ron De Guzman explained that the boxes had remained unprocessed at the port for about a year because the necessary goods declaration had not been filed.

“The majority of these ‘balikbayan’ boxes originated from the Middle East,” De Guzman said, adding that the responsible consolidators failed to pay the exact amount required to process the fees for these boxes.

With the approval of the Department of Finance, the BOC declared the boxes forfeited and officially donated them to the DMW through a signed Deed of Donation.

The DMW 11 (Davao Region) is managing 362 of these boxes (338 designated for recipients in the region and 24 for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), which are being prepared for safe and orderly distribution in the coming days.

“The pullout will be staggered and commenced in April. We have already delivered around 20 boxes,” De Guzman said, adding that the DMW would facilitate the free door-to-door delivery of these undelivered packages.

De Guzman also assured that the DMW, in partnership with the BOC and the Department of Trade and Industry, would pursue charges against the consolidators involved in this illegal scheme.

“We are working closely with our DMW offices abroad in building the case against these consolidators,” he added.

Thursday’s turnover highlights the government’s continuing efforts to protect the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize services that directly benefit the Filipino people.

Port of Davao District Collector Maita Acevedo said the donation of the boxes to the DMW reflects the agency’s deep respect and recognition for OFWs and their families. (PNA)