QUEZON City, Philippines (September 2) – I personally think that evidence is one way of knowing the truth. The photos that went viral on the internet were true and they didn’t even deny it. I just think that it is not proper for someone to open boxes unless they’re the owner.
When the big issue about the balikbayan boxes came out into the open, news said that President Benigno Aquino III has given instructions for the Bureau of Customs to stop the physical inspections of balikbayan boxes unless X-ray and K-9 examinations give rise to suspicions that they contain prohibited items. The decision came after Aquino met with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Bureau of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina. Employees who violate the protocols and engage in pilferage will be prosecuted and punished, according to Aquino’s instructions. He also encouraged the public to submit videos and photographic evidence of illegal acts to Lina.
Rules then were reviewed by the Bureau of Customs immediately after the said issue came out.
For some who are curious about these rules being implemented for the balikbayan boxes, here’s what I found in the web:
“The contents of a balikabayan box must not exceed $500 in value. Canned goods, grocery items and other household effects must not exceed a dozen a kind, while apparels whether used or new must not exceed 3 yards per cut. Only one consignment per sender during a one-month period is allowed.
Also banned and/or regulated firearms and ammunition, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, gambling materials/ apparatus. Home appliances are not allowed unless these are consigned to returning Filipino residents and overseas contract worker.”
These rules being implemented in the Bureau of Customs may said to be fair and citizens must abide if they wish to have their goods given to their families who are not within their reach. However, some Filipinos may have forgotten these rules and regulations.
In my opinion, no one is to blame in the issue. Both parties, the OFWs and the BOC have their faults. The OFWs shouldn’t have reacted angrily in what they saw in social networking sites and they could’ve confirmed the incident first so that there would be no conflict.
The BOC could’ve asked permission to authorities first if they must open those balik bayan boxes. I guess they also got alarmed when an incident about some people tried to sneak in drugs and other prohibited items in the Philippines.
Those rules were approved to prevent the use of the balikbayan privilege for smuggling. BOC officials say the privilege has been abused, and they have found even refrigerators in the boxes. They have promised to handle boxes with extreme care to prevent damage to the items, many of which are sent by OFWs to their relatives in the Philippines. OFWs have complained that the items are mainly the fruits of their hard work and they fear damage to the goods or pilferage.
With the reaction from the most affected sector, the government should review this policy, including a possible amendment of the rules. There must be a way of reconciling BOC objectives with people’s desire to share their blessings with their loved ones in the Philippines.
Nonetheless, wherever this case is going, let’s just hope that this issue will not greatly affect our beloved country.
(written by Joana Joyce Marcaida, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)