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This sorry may be too late.
“Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Alberto ‘Bert’ Lina on Thursday, September 3, apologized to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in connection with the bureau’s earlier plan to manually inspect balikbayan boxes — a policy vehemently opposed by migrant workers,” reports Amita O. Legaspi on GMA News Online.
During the hearing of the Senate committee on ways and means on balikbayan boxes, Lina stated, “Ako ay nagso-sorry kung may natapakan (I am saying sorry in case I offended anyone). I give my 200 percent support to them.”
Lina also revealed that his sister is an OFW in Oman.
The report noted: “Lina reiterated that the BoC did not intend to target OFWs in its plan to inspect balikbayan boxes, supposedly to address technical smuggling, as they only wanted to check the containers for illegal items.”
He went on to say that they are now “drafting a new policy to make it easier for OFWs to get their balikbayan boxes while the BOC is addressing the issue on smuggling.” Thus, he said he is asking for a list of OFWs so that the BoC can “pre-clear” the balikbayan boxes.
“Pag may listahan kami, ipapre-clear ko na para mabilis ang pagde-deliver sa kanilang bahay (If we have a list, I’ll have it cleared so it goes through fast and can be quickly delivered to their house),” he said.
RELATED: Listen and follow Coconuts Manila’s Christmas Playist dedicated to all OFWs.
Photos: RetiringPhilippines.org (balkbayan box) and press release (Lina)
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