MANILA, Philippines - Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) traditionally send goods like clothes, shoes, and non-perishable food to their loved ones using balikbayan box. A modern manifestation of the Filipino practice of “pasalubong,” the balikbayan box is often shipped by freight forwarders offering cheaper rates.
Ailyne Gumabon, an OFW based in Hong Kong, decided to send a balikbayan box filled with goods to her family in San Miguel, Bulacan through SpeedPost last February 16, 2016. In a lengthy Facebook post, Gumabon revealed how some opportunists allegedly replaced the goods she sent with bundles of newspapers and mails.
According to Gumabon, the balikabayan box contained 6 pairs of shoes, 6 pieces of shirt, 1 piece of shorts, 1 bag, 1 cup and 32 pieces of chocolates and was sent via the more expensive SpeedPost option. Two weeks after sending the box, Gumabon was disappointed to learn that the package hasn’t arrived even though it was expected to arrive in its destination after three days.
Through a tracking facility, Gumabon discovered that the box had already reached the country and was under the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) since February 17.
Gumabon then asked her husband to go to BOC Pasay City office to check the balikbayan box. However, he was told that the balikbayan box was not there and could be in another location. Luckily, a family friend working at BOC informed Gumabon’s husband that the balikabayan box was with the BOC but can’t be delivered to the post office since it arrived with a big group of shipments.
A week after the incident, Gumabon’s family was informed via text message that the balikbayan box can already be claimed at the post office in San Miguel, Bulacan. Feeling suspicious about the whole situation, Gumabon asked her husband to open the balikbayan box at the post office.
To her family’s surprise, the balikbayan box was apparently filled with bundles of newspaper and mail to make the box appear it weighed the same as indicated in the receipt. Only one box of shoes remained intact as the other shoe boxes were emptied. Except for the bag and chocolates, the contents of the balikbayan box were apparently lost.
As of press time, the BOC and the management of the post office in San Miguel, Bulacan have not issued a statement regarding the incident.
Read the full story below.
-Mini, The Summit Express
Ailyne Gumabon, an OFW based in Hong Kong, decided to send a balikbayan box filled with goods to her family in San Miguel, Bulacan through SpeedPost last February 16, 2016. In a lengthy Facebook post, Gumabon revealed how some opportunists allegedly replaced the goods she sent with bundles of newspapers and mails.
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| Gone were the “pasalubong” sent by OFW Ailyne Gumabon. PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Ailyne Gumabon |
Through a tracking facility, Gumabon discovered that the box had already reached the country and was under the custody of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) since February 17.
Gumabon then asked her husband to go to BOC Pasay City office to check the balikbayan box. However, he was told that the balikbayan box was not there and could be in another location. Luckily, a family friend working at BOC informed Gumabon’s husband that the balikabayan box was with the BOC but can’t be delivered to the post office since it arrived with a big group of shipments.
A week after the incident, Gumabon’s family was informed via text message that the balikbayan box can already be claimed at the post office in San Miguel, Bulacan. Feeling suspicious about the whole situation, Gumabon asked her husband to open the balikbayan box at the post office.
To her family’s surprise, the balikbayan box was apparently filled with bundles of newspaper and mail to make the box appear it weighed the same as indicated in the receipt. Only one box of shoes remained intact as the other shoe boxes were emptied. Except for the bag and chocolates, the contents of the balikbayan box were apparently lost.
As of press time, the BOC and the management of the post office in San Miguel, Bulacan have not issued a statement regarding the incident.
Read the full story below.
Nagsend ako ng box sa speedpost nung february 16/2016 at ang laman ay 6pair shoes 6pcs shirth 1pc short 1bag 1cup at...
Posted by Ailyne Gumabon on Thursday, March 17, 2016
-Mini, The Summit Express
