Just in time for Christmas!
A total of 400 balikbayan boxes sitting undelivered at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) since March will finally be released to their rightful recepients after a long, long wait. This follows an agreement between the Bureau of Customs and a winning bidder during a public auction on Tue, Nov 22.
Winning bidder Pherica International said that instead of selling the boxes, they will be released to the recipients at a reasonable cost in time for the Christmas season.
So, what caused the big delay?
The balikbayan boxes safely made it to the Philippines thru US-based international cargo forwarder RDR Forwarding, but the boxes were eventually abandoned after the forwarder failed to secure a local counterpart because of bancruptcy, ABS-CBN News reports.
The Filipino-Americans who were victims of the cargo company created this Change.org petition asking for help.
“We invested time, money, and emotions to have those items in the boxes to be shipped to the Philippines,” it was written on the petition.
Pherica International said it will coordinate with MICP and with the recipients to process the immediate release of the balikbayan boxes.
Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon reminded OFWs to be extra mindful in sending balikbayan boxes by ensuring that they transact only with legitimate cargo forwarders.
