Manila, Dec. 18 -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday started the delivery of some 130,000 unclaimed "balikbayan" boxes.

This in response to the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that the boxes will be delivered to the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the country this holiday season.

Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno led the inspection of the unclaimed balikbayan boxes at the Port of Manila, majority of which came from the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

Some have been at the port from eight months to as long as two years.

"Out of the 144 cargo containers, there is a minimum of 54,000 boxes (per container depending on the size) and if there is a combination o...