The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Monday that it has endorsed to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the investigation of complaints from 38 individuals for undelivered balikbayan boxes allegedly by Al Rodah Marine Services, Rodah Cargo Services and D’ Winner Logistics Philippines Inc.

Based on the estimates of the DTI- Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB), there is about $11,200 or P459,200 worth of undelivered balikbayan boxes, based on the insurance value of $200 or about P8,126 per box.

“The department has meted administrative sanctions on them but we aim to stop them in deceiving more consumers so we’re recommending to DOJ that they be criminally charged on their wrong doings,” said lawyer Victorio Mario Dimagiba, director-in-charge, DTI-PSB.

“The DTI is seeking DOJ’s assistance to conduct proper investigation on these foreign and local freight forwarders for swindling or estafa,” he said.

From May to October 2012, the DTI-PSB received a total of 38 complaints from senders/shippers in Dubai and recipients/consignees from Manila, Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Davao del Sur, La Union, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal and Sorsogon.

The DTI-PSB reported that each complaint was heard and carefully studied. “These companies, by abuse of confidence, misappropriated the funds supposedly for customs’ release and delivery to the prejudice of the senders and recipients of the balikbayan boxes, which resulted to failure of delivery of said balikbayan boxes to the rightful consignees,” Dimagiba said.

DTI-PSB said that the Balikbayan boxes were shipped by Al Rodah Marine Services from Dubai of the United Arab Emirates (foreign principal/forwarder) and were consigned to D’ Winner Logistics Philippines Inc. and Rodah Cargo Services in the Philippines (local principal/forwarder) to deliver to the recipients/consignees.

However, the consignees failed to receive their balikbayan boxes as of yesterday.

“The DTI-PSB may hold the foreign principal/consolidator and its Philippine agent/freight forwarder jointly and severally liable for the delivery of cargoes to the consignees. Since D’ Winner Logistics Phil. Inc., failed to fulfill its obligation to deliver the cargoes to the rightful owners, DTI-PSB has also revoked its accreditation, notwithstanding that a Motion for Reconsideration is pending with DTI-PSB’s Consumer Arbitration Officer,” Dimagiba said.

 The DTI-PSB has issued, and served a cease and desist order to Rodah Cargo Services for operating without the accreditation certificate and included Al Rodah Marine Cargo Services in its advisory on list of foreign freight forwarders under investigation, Dimagiba said.

 The DTI-PSB issues the Certificate of Accreditation to sea freight forwarders based on its Administrative Order 6, Series of 2005. All sea freight forwarders operating in the Philippines are required to secure registration/ accreditation from DTI-PSB prior to their operation of their businesses. To date, the DTI-PSB has accredited 637 freight forwarders.

Public must complain
DTI-Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said. “The DTI encourages particularly overseas Filipinos to transact only with reliable foreign principals/consolidators/forwarders that do business with PSB-accredited Philippine agents/freight forwarders to ensure that their balikbayan boxes are delivered to their loved ones on time.”

 “We have weekly advisories and alerts on freight forwarders in the DTI website, www.dti.gov.ph that can guide anyone in sending their balikbayan boxes and avoid instances of undelivered, pilferaged, overcharged and damaged balikbayan boxes,” she added.

 The DTI said that complaints on pilferage or lost items and non-delivery of balikbayan boxes may be filed at the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau at the second floor, Trade and Industry Building, 361 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or sent through fax at (02) 751.3305 or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For assistance, call DTI Direct 751-3330.