Malacañang is still studying options to suspend the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) imposition of higher shipping rates on containers carrying balikbayan boxes from P80,000 to P180,000 per 20-foot container van, an increase being passed on to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) sending the boxes.
Asked if the Palace gave its blessings to Customs Commissioner Alberto D. Lina’s imposition of higher duties, estimated to add up to 125 percent in increased shipping cost that will be borne by OFW-senders, President Aquino’s Chief Spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda, first sought for time to confirm this with the Office of the President (OP).
“We have asked the OP, and I have not received a response yet,” Lacierda later said in a text message to the BusinessMirror.
The secretary suggested he will also check with the Department of Finance (DOF), but has yet to receive word from DOF officials as of press time.
Lacierda, likewise, passed on to Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima a follow-up query on whether the Palace would consider, as a Christmas gift to OFWs and their families here, the immediate suspension of the BOC imposition of higher shipping rates for balikbayan boxes until after the holiday season.
“Forwarded your question to Secretary Purisima,” Lacierda texted back but a reply has not been received as of press time.
Sen. Ralph G. Recto was the first to raise the issue several weeks ago, warning that, while the outcry on intrusive checks on balikbayan boxes was just abating, the imposition of high shipping rates would trigger more accusations that the Aquino administration was insensitive to OFWs and their families.
The other day, Party-list Reps. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna and Rep. Winston T. Castelo of Quezon City also questioned Lina’s imposition of the 125-percent increase in duties being slapped on the balikbayan boxes, even as the House of Representatives was still deliberating on the same issue.
It was reported that Lina approved the imposition of higher duties on container vans carrying the balikbayan boxes from P80,000 to P120,000 per 20-foot container van in August, then raised the fees to P180,000 per van effective October this year.