OFW Families Urged to Use ‘Balikbayan Box’ Tracker
MANILA, Philippines – Families of Overseas Filipino workers are being urged to be vigilant in keeping track of the balikbayan boxes sent by their relatives from abroad.
The Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office III (DTI-3) reminded OFW families in central Luzon that they can track the progress of their balikbayan boxes online.
In a statement, DTI-3 Director Judith P. Angeles said they can log in the Bill of Lading number of their Balikbayan boxes at the following websites: http://www.dti.gov.ph/dti/index.php/resources/listings/ BalikBayan box tracker or at http://customs.gov.ph/balikbayan-box-tracker-101/.
Data from the Philippine Statistical Authority showed in 2012, Central Luzon has the second highest number of OFW at 294,000, representing 14.4 percent of all Filipino OFWs sent abroad.
The DTI also has lists of accredited and blacklisted freight forwarders on the website. The list includes the contact persons and details of the forwarders.
As of March 6, 2015, there are 56 accredited sea freight forwarding companies accredited by the DTI.
Complaints regarding the delay in the delivery or loss of Balikbayan boxes can be made through the DTI’s Business Licensing and Accreditation Division (BLAD), formerly the Philippine Shippers Bureau. BLAD can be contacted through the DTI Hotline 02 751.3330.