iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
GETEX 2024 brings in new programmes with a focus on AI, sustainability, and leadership for the evolving educational landscape
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Filipinos warned about 3 cargo firms
DUBAI - The Philippine Shippers’ Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has cautioned Filipinos in the UAE against sending parcels and packages home in ‘Balikbayan’ boxes (BB boxes) through three freight-forwarding companies.
The warning follows complaints from hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose BB boxes remain undelivered for over a year now.
In an advisory released through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, the DTI named two companies in Dubai, one in Sharjah, three in California, two in Chicago, one in Ireland and one in Hong Kong, against whom the complaints have been received.
The companies operating in the UAE are Smooth Express and Express Link Cargo Services in Dubai, Dagupan Cargo Packaging Services in Sharjah, which send the cargo through Urgent Cargo Express International Forwarder and Brokerage Inc. in Sucat, Paranaque, the Philippines.
The advisory was issued since OFWs in the Middle East send a large number of BB boxes containing valuable gifts for their loved ones during the Christmas season. The Philippines is known worldwide as the only country celebrating the longest Christmas season, from December 8 to January 6.
The largest number of complaints came from OFWs in the Middle East, specifically from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, followed by those in the USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, the UK and Korea.
The common complaints received by the DTI-PSB included non-delivery or failure to deliver balikbayan boxes, pilferage of the boxes, overcharging and damaged cargo.
Investigations made by the DTI-PSB revealed that the said companies had stopped remitting funds to their Philippine agents resulting in the abandonment of cargo at the Bureau of Customs (BoC). Vice-Consul Gerry Suliguin of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai urged all victims of freight-forwarding companies, which have failed to deliver their parcels to their families, to come forward and submit their affidavits, which would be forwarded to the DTI for lodging complaints formally. “They have to bring with them the proof of transactions when they come to the consulate to file their complaints,” Suliguin said.
The DTI’s Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) is encouraging OFWs and other Filipinos residing abroad to engage only the services of DTI-PSB-accredited freight forwarders. “Shippers can contact us on our direct line 00632-751-3330 for assistance,” a PSB spokesman said.
The PSB is now coordinating with the Legal Department of the BoC and the Philippine agents for the release of the undelivered BB boxes on humanitarian consideration. “We are imposing monetary fines and suspension or cancellation of accreditation of these erring freight-forwarding companies pursuant to Administrative Order No. 6 series of 2005,” he added.
More news from
No matter how often the algorithms shift, the key to making your videos popular is to create content that will hook viewers
The talk of new offerings on a faster timeline sent Tesla shares soaring
'When we have bad days, we are so bad. When we are good, we are capable of everything,' said the manager
Why will the moon turn 'pink'? Experts explain the science behind the celestial event
BCCI's honorary secretary Jay Shah said the star batter 'inspired millions worldwide with his heroics with the bat and immaculate display of character'
Goalkeeper Eisa delivered a fantastic performance against Al Hilal to help Al Ain reach the final
The new system offers substantial advantages, allowing travellers access to long-term, multi-entry entry permit
