Phl eyes duty-free entry to US of goods from Yolanda-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - The government is looking for sponsors in the US Congress for a proposal that will allow duty-free entry of goods produced in areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda into the US.

“There is a draft bill and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) are trying to get sponsors in the US Congress,” Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said in a text message.

He declined to give details of the draft bill.

Earlier, he said the government wants to propose a “minimum of seven to 10 years for the trade preference,” to encourage firms to put up operations in the typhoon-affected areas and help spur economic activity there. 

The trade official said there are opportunities for firms engaged in the manufacture of garments, handicraft and food products in the typhoon-affected areas.

Yolanda, which is considered to be one of the strongest typhoons, hit provinces in central Philippines in November last year, killing thousands and leaving many homeless.

Earlier, the government was pushing for the Save Our Industries Act (SAVE) which seeks to give duty-free entry for Philippine-made apparel using American fabrics to the US.

The SAVE Act was first filed in Washington in 2009.