CFO, BOC team up to ease concerns over balikbayan boxes
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) strengthened inter-agency cooperation to provide Non-Resident Filipinos (NRFs) with reliable information and assistance on balikbayan boxes, humanitarian donations, cargo forwarding, customs requirements, and other shipment-related concerns.
The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed today by CFO Chairperson Dante “Klink” Ang II and BOC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno.
Ang, who holds a Cabinet rank of Secretary, said the partnership will allow the government to maximize existing diaspora networks and continuing CFO programs to ensure that Filipinos overseas know where to obtain accurate information and which government offices to approach for assistance. He cited the CFO’s regular releases and advisories, social media platforms, community engagements, and overseas networks as channels for informing NRFs about customs procedures, legitimate service providers, and the appropriate BOC offices to contact.
Ang stressed that access to reliable information is particularly important for overseas Filipinos organizing medical missions, donations, and other forms of assistance, where unclear procedures can create unnecessary difficulties for people who simply want to help.
“Gusto lang ng marami sa ating mga kababayan abroad na tumulong. The problem is the lack of information. Through our existing networks and continuing dialogue with them, we can make sure they know who they can trust, what procedures to follow, and which BOC offices they can approach when they need assistance,” Secretary Ang said.
Under the agreement, the BOC will provide authoritative and updated guidance on customs laws and procedures, regulated goods, documentation, duties and taxes, exemptions, permits, clearances, and other requirements. The CFO, in turn, will disseminate the information through its official platforms, Community Education Program, Migration Talks, orientation activities, and continuing engagements with Filipino communities overseas.
The partnership will also establish clearer referral channels for concerns involving missing, delayed, abandoned, tampered, damaged, or undelivered Balikbayan boxes.
“Marami sa ating mga NRFs ang regular na nagpapadala ng balikbayan boxes para sa kanilang mga pamilya. Through this partnership, we want to ensure that they have access to reliable information on customs requirements, proper shipping practices, and available government assistance whenever concerns arise,” Commissioner Nepomuceno said.
Secretary Ang added that providing the right information before shipments are sent can help prevent confusion and delays, particularly for overseas Filipinos extending humanitarian assistance and donations to communities and institutions in the Philippines.
Through programs such as LINKAPIL, the CFO works with overseas Filipinos and organizations that provide medical supplies, equipment, books, and other forms of support to beneficiaries in the country. Clear guidance on customs procedures and requirements can help ensure that these forms of assistance reach their intended recipients more efficiently.
The agreement supports the CFO’s broader mandate to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural ties of NRFs with the Philippines, while reinforcing its role as a bridge between Filipinos overseas and the appropriate government agencies.
The CFO, established under Batas Pambansa 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.
The CFO, which is an agency under the Office of the President, works to strengthen the political, economic, and cultural ties of global Filipinos with their home country. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, participants of the US Exchange Visitor Program, participants of Au Pair Program for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.
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