CARGO TAMPERING, HIGHER TAXES WORRY FILIPINO COMMUNITY

Manama

The expat community, particularly the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) community has expressed outrage over the careless tampering and inspection of cargo packages by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in Philippines, which in turn leads to missing of many items.

Many Filipino netizens had recently posted about items going missing or stolen after the inspection.

Sending of cargo packages or Balikbayan Boxes, which means repatriate boxes, has been a tradition for OFWs since the 1980s. The boxes are usually packed with canned goods, sweets, garments, footwear and toys.

The stricter inspections are part of the measures by the BOC to apply more cargo limitations.  Higher taxes on such boxes are also being discussed.

However, CNN Philippines quoted BoC saying, “No such statement on tax increase has been made.”

BoC added in the report the inspections were to curb smuggling using balikbayan boxes.

Ambassador of the Philippines to Bahrain, Alfonso A. Ver said, “We are monitoring the comments, concerns and feedback from the Filipino community and we will convey this to the relevant authorities.”

DT also reached out to the Filipino community. A Filipino Resident,  , said inspection could be carried out, but without literally prying the boxes open.

“Also, the BoC has declared an declare annual collection deficit. To overcome it, they should investigate their shortfalls rather than imposing more taxes on the boxes to make up for it. Each box is a symbol of OFW community’s love for their family and friends,” she said.

 Another community member Bambi Pacete said she is fine with inspection as long as the packages are intact no extra tax is levied.

 Gina Vilamore said one of her friend had sent a package home to see how things go. “If they charge extra tax for our packages, then it becomes a problem for our families back home, as they have to deal with it."