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Sabotaging the Philippines
As I work on research and info-gathering for the logistics on the foundation, I have received the same message from different people: the Philippine Bureau of Customs is just plain bad news. Stories of corruption, medical equipment and supplies being held for years at a time due to exorbitant duty and taxes charged, being asked for the ever-present “lagay” and “pampadulas.” Many of the recipients coming to pick up the shipment are already in dire straits, hence the need to ask for donations. Then they come across a Customs goon who tells them no, they can’t get their wheelchairs until they cough up the money. And so there they lie, tools that could be helping people’s lives, gathering dust in the warehouses of the bureau. That is, if it hasn’t been stolen and sold off already.
While some self-proclaimed nationalists keep harping on and on about how overseas Filipinos, especially those who have done well for themselves (take note: this is different from the padalas of the OFWs that go directly to their own families), should GIVE BACK to the country, they should know that many have tried to do just that. But it would seem like the Philippine government, as represented by the Bureau of Customs, is more interested in sabotaging itself by imposing sky-high fees in exchange for releasing the much needed medical equipment? Let’s also not forget the allegations of hoarding donated relief goods. And truly, how many overseas Filipinos feel 100% confident that the packages that they sent through the mail will actually make it to their intended recipients? I know I feel like I’m playing Russian Roulette everytime I send something through PhilPost to my family.
I understand that there is a culture of corruption and red tape that will not be resolved in one president’s term. But I sure hope someone decides to do something about this. Otherwise, overseas Filipinos may tire of trying to help and quit on the Filipinos just because their interests are so poorly represented by their government.
