OFWs send balikbayan boxes which normally contains basic personal needs such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste and the like, to their loved-ones and families in the Philippines. Since it contains products that were bought from the hard-earned money of these OFWs, it is also expected then that couriers should exert extra caution to make sure the boxes are handled with care.
Recently, an OFW who had arrived from Dubai, expressed his disappointment with a forwarding company for allegedly mishandling the balikbayan box which he sent for his loved-ones.
Ferdinand Acupan said that the balikbayan box which he sent was properly packed in Dubai but he was quite disappointed that it looked like ‘garbage’ upon reaching the Philippines.
Image Via GMA News
“Parang nagkalkal na lang ako ng basura doon sa box,” he said. “Galing abroad, pinadala mo rito as basura na lang.”
Acupan was even more dismayed upon learning that most of the items inside the cargo couldn’t be used anymore because they had spilled already due to broken containers.
“So sobrang balibag po siguro ng mga box kaya siguro nagkaganyan,” he said.
Apparently, the Dubai-based forwarder, Makati Express Cargo was the courier who shipped Acupan’s balikbayan box from Dubai to the Philippines.
Even Acupan’s girlfriend who was also working in Dubai did not escape the displeasing service of the said courier as accordingly, she also had the same experience with them.
READ ALSO: How to Send Balikbayan Box and Avail The Duty And Tax Free Privilege
Citing the side of the courier, they claimed that Acupan’s box was already seen wet when it was uploaded in their warehouse.
However, the company repeated their reminder to OFWs not to include liquid items in the packages as its containers have the possibility to be damaged or to burst when a heavier box will be put on top of it.
Acupan then refuted what the courier said saying it wasn’t the first time they’ve included such items in their balikbayan box.
“Three times na kami nagpadala sa kanila so akala namin okay,” he said.
To prevent the same occurrence, the courier suggested to OFWs to place the liquid items inside the plastic containers as protection before putting them into the box.
Acupan concluded that forwarding companies should be careful in handling balikbayan boxes as they’ve worked hard enough to be able to purchase those items to be sent home.
“Pinagpaguran namin ang pera na ‘yan, dapat nagkaroon sila ng care sa mga customer nila na nagpapadala sa kanila,” Acupan insisted.
See full Video below