Gov’t eyes foreign consultant for typhoon rehab efforts

MANILA, Philippines - The government is planning to work with a foreign consultancy firm for a draft bill that will give special treatment or duty-free entry of goods produced in areas damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda to the US.

“We are in talks with an international consultancy firm. We are either trying to get them funded by one of the aid agencies or for them to do it as CSR (corporate social responsibility),” Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo told reporters.

The Department of Trade and Industry is working with Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia to come up with a draft bill to help start economic activity in typhoon affected areas.

“We are proposing a minimum of seven to 10 years for the trade preference,” Domingo said.

The draft bill is intended to encourage firms to set up operations in the affected areas.

“These may be the small operators or the SMEs (small and medium enterprises),” Domingo said.

He said there are opportunities for garment manufacturers in the area.

Earlier, he said some garments firms have expressed willingness to hire people in the area, although they have concerns on the wages.

The minimum wage in Samar and Leyte is P225 but the garments manufacturers are willing to pay only P200 per worker.

Aside from garments, Domingo said there are also opportunities for handicraft and food product makers in the Yolanda affected areas.

He said information technology business process management companies can also set up offices since one firm was operating there prior to the typhoon.