Manila, Philippines – In a move to enhance the safety and timely delivery of Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFWs) balikbayan boxes, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) formally signed the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on Monday, June 9 at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong City.
The newly signed order seeks to regulate the sea cargo forwarding industry amid a surge in complaints from OFWs regarding delayed, missing, or scammed balikbayan boxes. The initiative follows the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to address the urgent needs and concerns of OFWs.
The JAO was crafted after the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (HCOWA), chaired by Congressman Jude Acidre, identified problems in the existing processes during the March 2025 committee hearing. Also, this order lays the foundation for a whole-of-government response, ensuring that executive agencies collaborate to resolve the issue.
“The Joint Administrative Order establishes a whole-of-government framework to regulate the sea cargo forwarding industry, protect OFWs from scams, and ensure balikbayan boxes reach their destination safely and on time,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac.
The JAO includes the creation of a multi-agency monitoring and complaints system aimed at streamlining the reporting, tracking, and resolution of issues related to balikbayan box delivery.
“This JAO is the result of sustained collaboration and decisive legislative oversight,” he added.
Last week, the BOC turned over 2,500 balikbayan boxes to DMW, which are now being prepared to deliver to its rightful owners in Mindanado and of free of charge. An addition to over 9,900 retrieved balikbayan boxes since 2023.
To compensate affected OFWs whose boxes remain unrecovered, the DMW has given ₱30,000 in financial assistance per recipient through the AKSYON fund. —Pauline Salvaña, Contributor