Stop Philippine Bureau of Customs from Interfering with OFW Balikbayan Boxes!
- by: Claire Dangalan
- recipient: Philippine Bureau of Customs
An estimated 2.2 million Filipinos are living abroad as migrant workers, leaving behind their families and friends to make a living and contribute to the Philippine economy in the process. Some spend decades living abroad in order to eke out a means to support family members back home, no matter how big or small the returns.
The Philippine government has acknowledged their major role in the economy citing how OFW remittances are the country's second largest source of foreign reserves, and even calling them "new heroes" or "bagong bayani". In fact, current data shows that in 2014 alone, OFW remittances amounted to USD26.92 billion (PHP1.20 trillion).
OFWs the world over are well-known for sending “balikbayan boxes” or boxes usually sent via sea cargo containing various goods for the consumption of their loved ones back home in the Philippines. Now, the Philippine Bureau of Customs wants to start opening these boxes saying the maximum allowed price equivalent for the contents of each box should not exceed USD500, among other lame excuses. Who gave the Bureau of Customs the right to interfere with OFWs' private lives when they cannot even do their jobs taking care of criminals, and their own backyard?
Is this how the Philippine government treats its so-called “new heroes”? Is this how the Philippine government treats its citizens scattered all over the world making sacrifices so their people back home don’t have to depend on the government for dole outs? Should the government be punishing the people who are helping keep the national economy afloat so people in public office get to keep their jobs?
KABAYANS, please sign this petition so OFW rights are protected. Thank you!
(Photo: Screenshot taken from a post on OFW News - box "inspected" by BOC, with disarranged/damaged items)
Attention: Philippine Bureau of Customs
Through this petition and all other related actions in support of the OFW cause, we hope to make it clear that we are not going to take this kind of injustice sitting down.
Please do your jobs protecting the country against criminal elements who bring in prohibited goods by the ton, and clean up your own office from rampant graft and corruption.
Mga sir at mga mam, bata pa lang po kami puro katiwalian na lang ang nababalitaan namin tungkol sa opisina ninyo kahit ilang beses na nagpalit ng presidente. Kaya bago po kayo magdesisyon at magpa-press release, aralin nyo muna ang magiging epekto ng mga pinaplano ninyo. Mahiya naman po tayo sa mga OFW at mga pamilya nila... lalo na po dun sa maliit lang ang kinikita pero nagtitiis hangga't makakaya para hindi gutumin ang pamilya nila at para maiwasang mabilang sa mga walang trabaho dyan sa bansa natin. Alam po ba ninyo na may mga OFW na iniipon-ipon ng ilang buwan ang ilalagay nila sa balikbayan boxes na mga yan? Nakita na po ba ninyo ang pagtityaga at pagtitiis ng mga kabayan ninyong OFW sa ibang bansa makahanap lang ng discounted o sale items para makatipid ng kaunti at madagdagan ang maipadala nila sa mag-anak nila sa Pilipinas? Alam ba ninyo kung gaano kahirap i-assemble mga laman ng kahon na yan at ilang patong na tape nilalagay para lang safe ang mga padala? Anu po ba ang gagawin nyo pag sumobra sa USD500 worth ang laman ng box? Dagdag tax o penalty, o itatabi nyo na lang para sa sarili nyo? Di ba po may tax na binabayaran sa country of origin tas nagbabayad din sa inyo mga cargo companies ng tax? Di ba't katakawan na lang yan at pananamantala? Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina: WALA PONG ITINATAGO ANG MGA OFW. INVASION OF PRIVACY PO YANG GUSTO NYONG GAWIN, PURE & SIMPLE.
Last time we heard, we are living in a democracy. Apparently, BOC needs to be reminded of what democracy and basic human rights are all about.
Please reevaluate your plans and actions, and do something good and progressive for a change.
Thank you.
Overseas Filipino Workers, et al.
Greetings!
As you may already know, the pressure from various OFW movements has prompted President PNoy to revoke the order to check OFW balikbayan boxes at BoC.
We have succeeded, and it is all thanks to you.
Maraming salamat po.
Take care and God bless.
Very truly yours,
Claire Dangalan
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