Update: BOC stops random checks on balikbayan boxes

MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) will no longer randomly open balikbayan boxes, the bureau announced Monday night after 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 was made after President Aquino met with Customs chief Alberto Lina and Cesar Purisima monday night.

According to bureau Pnoy emphasized that OFW families view the balikbayan box as an integral part of the family relationship to nurture loved ones at home and as a tangible sign of their love and concern for their family members.

To prevent tampering or theft of the content of balikbayan boxes, Pnoy ordered the Bureau of Customs to immediately that Only in cases where there are derogatory findings from the x-ray or K-9 examination will there be a physical inspection of goods.

Pnoy also said that it should request that an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representative or a designated officer of an OFW Association be present with provisions for CCTV monitoring of the inspection areas.

The BOC warned that government employees who violate these protocols and steal from care packages will face criminal charges.

"We encourage the public to submit videos and photographic evidence of illegal acts to the Commissioner of Customs," it said.

Watch the phone interview of Jessica Soho with Customs Chief Alberto Lina:

BOC stops randow checking of balikbayan Boxes
Good news: Pnoy and BOC stops randow checking of balikbayan boxes. Please LIKE and SHARE
Posted by Latest News Channel PH on Monday, August 24, 2015

Share this goodnews for everyone to know.

From: abs-cbnnews, gmanews

Who is Customs Chief Albert Lina?

With the many controversies over the new regulations imposed by Bureau of Customs (BOC) on tighter rules of sending balikbayan boxes of OFW around the world. Many open letter from OFW surfaced on social media especially Facebook urging the government not to single out OFW but rather they should go after bigtime smuggler's and fight corruption inside the Bureau instead.

A lot of videos film by our OFW's also were posted on Facebook sharing their sentiments over their dismayed on the random checking and opening of their balikbayan boxes which violated their right of privacy. Many cases where some of the items were missing after their love's one received the balikbayan boxes but the Bureau where pinpointing each other and no result over any issues raised by ofw regarding missing items.

Now that all this malicious issues has been hot topic, many netizens question prompt news centers in the Philippines to report a deeper background check with the BOC chief.

Let's all watch a report from Abs-Cbn  for you to know more who is BOC chief Albert Lina:

Sino si Custom Chief Alberto Lina?
Sino si Custom Chief Alberto Lina? Kayo na ang huhusga.. LIKE and SHARE para malaman ng lahat!
Posted by Latest News Channel PH on Sunday, August 23, 2015

It's now your opportunity to air your sentiments over this report and don't forget to LIKE and SHARE this topic.

VIRAL: OFW Delivered Message on Customs Tigher Rules on Balikbayan Boxes

MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs said yesterday it may impose tougher measures on balikbayan boxes for fear that these tax-free packages are being used by traders to smuggle goods into the country.

 "The existing rules are obsolete, and we may have to reassess our coordination and processes with consolidators for stricter and improved compliance," Customs Commissioner Bert Lina said, referring to a Customs Memorandum Order for consolidated shipments from Filipinos abroad dating in the 1990s.

“Our spot checks from several warehouses show how misconstrued the rules may have become. People are sending in used clothing, home appliances and items of the same kind that can well be used for commercial purposes,” he said.

However, it should always be noted that these packages have limitations, such as contents not exceeding $500 in value, Lina said.

“Canned goods, grocery items and other household effects must not exceed a dozen a kind, while apparel whether used or new must not exceed three yards per cut,” Lina said.

He added that one consignment per sender during a one-month period is allowed.

The Philippines is the recipient of some 400,000 balikbayan boxes every month, a number that doubles as the Christmas season nears.

Meanwhile, OFW's worldwide air's their anger about this new rules as this will remove their privacy on their own balikbayan boxes.

Many of them used social media to send message to our Bureau of Customs (BOC) which now all trending as many ofw's gives sympathy.

Watch this viral video of Geneva Medina for Customs:

May mensahe si Geneva Medina sa mga custom sa Pilipinas..
May mensahe si Geneva Medina sa mga custom sa Pilipinas.. Nkka inis na Kc ang customs Sa pinas! Ang kakapal ng mukha"maawa naman kayo sa mga OFW's"...
Posted by Latest News Channel PH on Thursday, August 20, 2015

On going probe on Congress on this very sensitive issue's on our Modern Day Heroes!