Custums and duty charges in Manila

Hi everybody!

I moved to Manila last December and sent all my personal belongings by agency from Ireland to Manila. The boxes arrived here this Monday and all seemed fine but here in Manila my Dublin agent appointed me a local agent to arrange the transfer of my boxes from port to my home. This agent later on contact me appointing to me another agent for duties and customs (a broker agent) who is now asking me a lot of money in order to release my goods and send them to me (only customs and duty cost 45.000 PHP!!!). Is this even possible, that I will have to pay more for duties here then I have paid for the whole shipment from Dublin to here or is this agent trying to scam me? I would appreciate any help and advice on how to proceed.

Thanks and best regards

Nina Jovicic