Manila, June 9 -- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), together with key government partners, have strengthened protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against fraudulent freight forwarders through a Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on "balikbayan" boxes.

During the signing event at the DMW office in Mandaluyong City on Monday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the joint order comes amid widespread complaints from OFWs about undelivered, delayed, or lost balikbayan boxes.

He said the move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide all the necessary assistance to the OFWs' pressing needs and concerns.

"The Joint Administrative Order establishes a...