Some Filipino workers who shipped boxes back to the Philippines nine months ago for Christmas are hopeful they’ll get some help from the Alberta government.
The workers sent the boxes to family members back home using a Calgary company called Focus Canada Forwarders and Remittance Inc., but almost all have not been seen since.
One box that did arrive was badly damaged, as were its contents.
Most paid approximately $120 for each box, believing they would be delivered right to the door of their loved ones.
Now most of the boxes are languishing in customs at Manila and in Canada where they will remain until a total payment of between $3,000 and $5,000 dollars has been paid. Ultimately, if payment is not made, the contents will be auctioned off according to Canadian and Philippine customs policies.
Meanwhile, Lilian Duomo, the owner of Focus Canada is nowhere to be found and did not return repeated calls.
But on June 13, Edithe Cuarceros, one of the victims who paid $600 to have her boxes sent, attended a meeting with officials from a government department called Service Alberta.
“I think they’re going to help us,” said Cuarceros of Service Alberta. “They gave us some complaint forms and they’re just waiting for more people to come forward.”
Service Alberta, among other things, investigates complaints from Albertans about consumer transactions between people and businesses.
The department says it focuses on businesses who appear to have broken the law frequently. Cuarceros’ friend, Daisy McKinnon, came to the Service Alberta meeting with her.
McKinnon did not send any boxes back home, but is concerned about the plight of many of her friends.
McKinnon said she is trying to enlist the help of her nephew back in the Philippines.
“He found out there’s about 50 boxes roped off in Manila,” she said, adding she believes some of them do belong to her friends though she’s also heard some others have stalled in Vancouver.
“They’ve been there so long waiting for people to pay customs fees.”
But her nephew has been able to confirm the boxes in Manila have not yet been moved to the “abandoned” department.
“Duomo should just pay the money,” said McKinnon. “These people gave her the money so where did it go? I hate that they’re in hiding and I hate that they’re getting away with this.”
Though Service Alberta officials will not comment on an individual case, Cuarceros said she got the impression there had been complaints from Calgary as well, a fact she believes could bolster her case. Meanwhile, some of the victims at least, are trying to put the debacle behind them.
“One of the girls only sent one box,” said McKinnon. “But the contents were all electronics she was sending to her family. She has now said she’s leaving it in God’s hands because she thinks there is nothing she can do.”
Source: Cochrane Eagle
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