“Ukay-ukay”: Raided or aided?

In mid-April this year, we were witnesses of a raid undertaken by the operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) at a warehouse in Mabolo (Cebu City) where 52 bundles of assorted used clothing (or ukay-ukay) valued at about P1,000,000 were seized.  Last week, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) seized P21 million worth of used clothing in a simultaneous raid in warehouses situated in Barangay Merville (in Parañaque) and in the villages of Landayan in San Pedro and San Vicente in Biñan City, both in Laguna province.  With this latest haul, it cannot be discounted that some lawmakers will again harp or at the very least, insinuate, that the only way to curb smuggling of used clothing is legalizing it.

Truth to tell, importation of used clothing is illegal by virtue of Republic Act No. 4653. Passed and approved as early as June 17, 1966, it imposes a fine of P200 to P20,000 or imprisonment to violators.  Surprisingly, despite its seeming abundance, we haven’t heard of anyone fined or, worst, imprisoned.

By its (ukay-ukay) sheer volume, it is unthinkable that these will go through the piercing eyes of the men and women of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) unnoticed.  Unless they opt to go blind, through the much ballyhooed state-of-the-art X-ray machines positioned at the international ports they could have easily detected them.  Unfortunately, however, Republic Act No. 1937 (in particular, Sec. 105 paragraph v.), allows importation of these stuffs for relief work or for not-for-profit relief organizations.  Thus, probably, through this small window of opportunity, some “ukay-ukay” importations have been made legal.  Suspiciously, however, through devious means, it went to the mainstream.  Thus, the used clothing business flourished.

Reportedly, these are items dropped off at charities in wealthy nations but are often sold to third world countries like the Philippines.  Every year, over US$1 billion worth of used clothing are sent to these countries and are rummaged through by prudent shoppers in search of a bargain.  Apparently, with our insatiable desire, coupled with the relative ease in importing (or, say, smuggling), these used items have glutted the market like never before.  Taken advantage, some businessmen have turned wealthy nations’ garbage into gold, well, by selling them here for a price of a dime.  Consequently, our county has become one of the world’s trash bins of thrown-out apparels.

However, before the euphoria each time we rake in heaps of “ukay-ukay” at dole-out prices subsides, let us revisit our garment and shoe manufacturers, especially the home-based ones.   These home-based manufacturers are situated in the countryside.  They do not just help propel economic activities in their localities, they also help decongest the metropolis by employing their immediate relatives and neighbors.  While their contribution to the economy is crystal clear, their businesses’ and their employees’ future remain blurred.  Unabated, this is the best recipe for the home-based garment and footwear industry’s demise. 

Ironically, the government that is harping about employment generation in the countryside and decongestion of the metropolis is the same government that has not, so far, put even a very thin shield enough to protect these home-based small manufacturers from their hand-to-mouth existence.  Instead, some lawmakers, just for the sake of curbing smuggling, would like to legalize it. 

What makes matters worst is, even before this sordid attempt of legalizing it shall gather strength, the sale of “ukay-ukay”, as it seems, is already enjoying a reasonable amount of legitimacy in all localities.  Truth to tell, local government units are issuing business permits to these stuffs’ traders.

Moreover, we are wondering why in heaven’s name, we haven’t heard much about used clothes confiscated right at the port where BoC personnel abound.  Usually, these are seized through raids already in the warehouses of these stuffs’ smugglers.  Done, suspiciously, at the time when the best among these bundles of used clothes are already gone.  When what are left are just token pieces.  Yes, deliberately left, just for show or press releases.

Indeed, as we try to ponder, a question comes to mind, are they (smugglers) raided or aided?

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