Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a bill seeking to legalize and regulate the importation of “ukay-ukay” or imported secondhand garment as it has become part of Filipino culture and has generated jobs.
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Senate Bill No. 1778 will repeal Republic Act No. 4653, which prohibits the “commercial importation of textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags.”
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“Pursuant to the proposed bill, the ₱18-billion industry will no longer be an underground enterprise since it will be duly registered and its revenues audited for accountability by the proper government agencies,” said Tulfo.
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If passed into law, the Department of Health will craft health standards for the importation of used textiles, while the Tariff Commission determines the proper tariff line for such items.
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