Latest news with #BOC
Filipino Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Filipino Times
3,000 abandoned balikbayan boxes turned over to DMW for delivery to OFW families
Around 3,000 balikbayan boxes, originally sent by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) but left unclaimed due to mishandling and neglect by freight forwarders, have been handed over to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for proper distribution to the intended recipients. In a statement on May 29, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said the turnover follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to keep government services attuned to the needs of Filipino families. With the Department of Finance's (DOF) approval, the BOC officially declared the boxes as forfeited and finalized a deed of donation with the DMW. The DMW will now be responsible for ensuring the long-delayed packages are delivered to the families of OFWs. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio assured the public that the balikbayan boxes would finally reach their rightful recipients after months of inter-agency coordination since early 2024. The BOC emphasized that it took extensive steps to secure legal clearances, complete documentation, and manage logistics to ensure the boxes could be lawfully and properly released.
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
‘Smuggled' sugar shipments worth P9 million seized in Manila port
Authorities have intercepted two separate shipments of sugar, which lacked necessary permits, at the Port of Manila (POM) for violations of customs and importation rules. In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, BOC Assistant Commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group Vincent Philip Maronilla, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, and POM District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar jointly led the inspection of the intercepted sugar shipments on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The BOC said the first operation was carried out on May 23, 2025, following a Pre-Lodgement Control Order issued by the BOC-POM. The Customs said a joint team from the BOC, SRA, DA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and other enforcement units examined two 20-foot container vans from Thailand containing 1,000 sacks of refined sugar. While the consignee was registered with the SRA, the BOC said the shipment lacked the required import allocation and clearance, rendering the importation unauthorized. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-POM recommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for violations of Section 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation) in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sugar Order No. 6, Series of 2022–2023. Another shipment, which arrived on April 29 at the POM from Thailand, involved two container vans of refined sugar imported 'without any permit or import allocation from the SRA.' The BOC said it examined the two abandoned 20-foot containers in coordination with the SRA, DA, Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. (CCBI), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) -POM, and CIIS-POM and found 1,040 bags labeled 'sweet mixed powder.' Both shipments of sugar are valued at approximately P9 million, according to the Customs. 'President Marcos Jr. has made it clear that the smuggling of agricultural commodities and other regulated goods will not be tolerated. These operations are a direct response to his marching orders to safeguard our borders and protect the welfare of the Filipino people,' said Rubio. In a separate statement, Tiu Laurel said, 'We cannot let these illicit trading practices undermine the agriculture sector and hurt our farmers, particularly those in the sugar industry.' 'The closer coordination among government agencies to clamp down on smuggling as well as the implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law which doesn't allow bail should put fear on these illicit traders,' the Agriculture chief said. The DA chief instructed the SRA to blacklist the importers of the seized sugar shipments. The DA, through its Inspectorate and Enforcement office, last year seized P2.83 billion worth of smuggled farm goods, around P1 billion higher compared to the level in 2023. From January through May 19 this year, DA-IE already seized and condemned smuggled farm goods worth a total P407.6 million. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
BOC turns over 2,954 mishandled balikbayan boxes to DMW for distribution
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday turned over 2,954 balikbayan boxes to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for distribution to their intended recipients, the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The turnover ceremony was held at the Port of Davao in Davao City. In a statement, the BOC said the balikbayan boxes were originally sent by OFWs to their loved ones but were left unclaimed after being mishandled and abandoned by unscrupulous freight forwarders. With the approval of the Department of Finance, the Customs said it officially declared the boxes forfeited and signed a Deed of Donation with the DMW. The DMW is now tasked with ensuring that the long-delayed packages will finally reach their intended recipients. The Migrant Workers Department has since partnered with a logistics provider to ensure the safe and prompt delivery of the boxes to their rightful beneficiaries, according to the BOC. The BOC said the ceremonial turnover followed months of coordination between the two agencies, which began in 2024. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
P15.8B worth of counterfeit goods seized in Divisoria warehouses
Some of the fake items seized in Divisoria warehouses. Photo from Bureau of Customs The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized some P15.8 billion worth of counterfeit goods in warehouses in Divisoria bearing unauthorized logos of brands such as Guess, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch. The follow-up inspection was conducted last Friday, May 23, after being flagged by global fashion brand Guess and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) for sales both in-store and online. 'These fakes aren't just illegal. They endanger consumers and destroy legitimate businesses,' Guess Philippines legal head Atty. Kristian Nico Acosta was quoted as saying in the BOC statement. The warehouses had long been flagged by Guess and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. The counterfeit items were being sold both in-store and online. 'This is about protecting Filipinos and creating a fair, honest market,' BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio said in the same statement. The BOC — mandated to supervise and control the clearance of vessels and aircraft engaged in foreign commerce — is tasked to collect nearly P1.06 trillion this year. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Customs chief steps down amid Marcos call for courtesy resignations
Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on Friday announced his resignation, following suit with the courtesy resignations of Cabinet-level and secretary-ranked officials in the midst of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s post-midterm polls Cabinet overhaul. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio also tendered his courtesy resignation. — Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) May 23, 2025 'Ito po ay pagtugon sa panawagan ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas na muling iayon ang ating pamahalaan sa kung ano ang nararapat para sa taumbayan,' Rubio said in a statement. (This is in response to the call of the President of the Philippines to realign the government with the needs of the people.) 'To this end, I have submitted my resignation as the Commissioner of Customs to give the President a free hand in assessing the performance of the heads of agencies and better improve the service to the Filipino people,' the Customs chief said. Rubio's announcement came on the heels of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin's announcement of the latest changes in the Marcos Cabinet. Notably, his boss Finance Secretary Ralph Recto along with other members of the economic team —Trade Secretary Cristina Roque; Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan; Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman; and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go— were retained by the President. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. also tendered his courtesy resignation 'to give the Chief Executive a free hand in evaluating my performance in pursuit of further improving public service under his Administration.' 'Ang makapagsilbi po sa sambayanang Pilipino ay isa sa pinakamalaking karangalang ipinagkaloob sa akin,' Rubio said. (To serve the Filipino people is such great honor bestowed upon me.) 'I remain in full support of His Excellency's policies and reforms for national progress and development,' he added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
