Bill seeks to exempt balikbayan boxes from duties

MANILA, Philippines — House constitutional amendments panel chair Rep. Rufus Rodriguez wants to exempt from all duties and taxes the “balikbayan” boxes sent by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other Filipinos abroad to their families.

House Bill No. 6752 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 6758, or the Balikbayan Program Act, by entitling OFWs and balikbayans to ship one balikbayan box a month to the Philippines, which would be exempt from taxes and duties regardless of the value of its contents.

The measure was filed on Jan. 11. Rodriguez said around 400,000 balikbayan boxes are sent to the Philippines every month.

—JULIE M. AURELIO