Phl seeks review of US rule on garments

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine garments industry is set to appeal to the US government for the approval of the Save Our Industries Act following the damage left by Super Typhoon Yolanda to sewing factories in Eastern Visayas.

In a statement from the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines president Robert Young said his group, in collaboration with the Confederation of Garment Exporters of the Philippines, Garment Business Association of the Philippines  and Textile Mills Association of the Philippines, will make an urgent request for the approval of the Save Act.

The Save Act is a measure which will allow the duty-free entry of Philippine-made apparel using American fabrics to the US. “Maybe with the Yolanda aftermath, probably we can somehow gain some sympathy as what they did in Haiti,” Young said.

A seven magnitude quake rocked Haiti in January 2010, killing over 200,000 people and damaging residences, commercial and landmark buildings.

Young said the typhoon destroyed sewing and handicraft factories in Eastern Visayas last Nov. 8.

“The garment industry, as a whole and locally, is affected...Not only garment subcontractors but also material source suppliers and handicraft factories were affected, if not wiped out,” he said.

Through the approval of the Save Act, he is hopeful exports of garments to the US could rise by 15 to 20 percent.

He said a rise in garment exports would help create 100,000 to 200,000 jobs in the country.

“I’m sure, more factories will re-open, new factories will be built,” he added. Earlier, Trade secretary Gregory Domingo said the department is in discussions with Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia to come up with a draft bill that will give special treatment or duty-free entry for garments manufactured in areas damaged by Yolanda to the US.