Lina seeks OFW representative for balikbayan boxes' pre-clearance

Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina on Friday asked groups of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to assign a representative in his office to help in the implementation of a "pre-cleared" system they are planning to put in place in dealing with balikbayan box shipments.
 
At a presser, Lina reiterated his invitation to OFW groups "so I can really be at your side eight hours a day."
 
He said the pre-cleared system is an "add-on" to President Benigno Aquino III's directive to stop the random physical inspection of balikbayan boxes.
 
The said process would approve packages even before they reach the ports here, he said.
 
"If you can kindly provide me an OFW representative by my side [para] pagtingin pa lang ng dokumento, kapag OFW 'yan, check. Hindi na bubuksan, hindi na dadaan sa X-ray... Ang tawag namin diyan, pre-cleared," Lina said.
 
He added: "Pagpirma ko ng pre-cleared, kasama 'yung tao n'yo sa pipirma... Dumarating pa lang ang barko, cleared na kayo sapagkat pinrovide na 'yung data, nakipag-coordinate na kayo... Ito ang add-on, ito ang handog ng Presidente sa inyo." —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/ALG, GMA News

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