Raffy Tulfo files bill on legalization, regulation of ‘ukay-ukay’

Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure seeking to legalize and regulate the commercial importation of second-hand clothes and other goods such as bags and shoes or commonly known as "ukay-ukay."

Senate Bill 1778 aims to repeal Republic Act 4365, a law enacted in 1966 which prohibited the commercial importation of Ukay-Ukay to safeguard the health of the Filipino people and "maintain the dignity of the nation."

While the Ukay-Ukay business is deemed illegal, Tulfo pointed out that it has proliferated in the market due to the ineffective implementation of the law.

"The ukay-ukay industry has evolved as part of Filipino culture... The revenue-generating industry has generated jobs for our fellow Filipinos. However, it must be regulated by the proper government agencies to ensure its compliance with applicable laws." Tulfo said.

According to the proposed bill, the P18-billion industry will no longer be an underground enterprise since "it will be duly registered and its revenues audited for accountability by the proper government agencies."

Under SB 1778, the Department of Health shall determine the health standards and prerequisites for importing and distributing used clothing and rags.

Meanwhile, the Tariff Commission, in consultation with the relevant agencies, shall determine the proper duties to be imposed against second-hand items.

The Bureau of Customs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall be tasked to determine the disposition of smuggled second-hand clothes and other textiles.

In August last year, Tulfo raised the possibility of legalizing the commercial importation of "ukay-ukay" after he claimed that small-time sellers are obliged to pay taxes while the big-time importers are not paying their duties with the BOC. —NB, GMA Integrated News