P7.5 million “ukay-ukay” donated to DSWD

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Cebu has donated P7.5 million worth of confiscated used clothing from Thailand to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7, in compliance with a presidential directive to donate these goods to Typhoon Ompong victims.

In a turnover ceremony, BOC Cebu District Collector Elvira Cruz said that the used clothing loaded in five container vans arrived at the Cebu port between 2014 and 2017.

These shipments were confiscated for violating Republic Act 4563, otherwise known as "An act to safeguard the health of the people and maintain the dignity of the nation by declaring it a national policy to prohibit the commercial importation of textile articles known as used clothing and rags."

Cruz said the release of the shipments was exempted from demurrage fees as well as customs taxes and duties.

DSWD-7 Assistant Regional Director Grace Subong said that, in compliance with the directive, the used clothing will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Ompong.

"In Cebu, there are no Typhoon Ompong victims. So, if the directive is to be followed, the used clothing is not intended for Cebu. But we can make a representation that these used clothing will be retained in Cebu for future use," Subong said in a press conference after the opening of the container van.

Cruz said that with the directive, the used clothing will no longer be condemned, but would instead be donated to DSWD.

"Hopefully, this will be the start na instead of condemning used clothing, this will be donated to DSWD," Cruz said.

Presidential Management Staff acting head Ferdinand Cui Jr., who signed the directive, said President Rodrigo Duterte has committed to provide assistance to the typhoon victims. — GAN (FREEMAN)