‘Buy Pinoy Movement’ to boost garment industry

The local textile industry is expected to receive a boost from a Malacañang circular requiring all government offices to use locally produced materials for their uniforms.

Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular No. 20 which directs all national and local government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and other government instrumentalities, including schools, military and police units to use locally produced materials for their uniforms.

The Malacañang order is in line with the drive to promote locally-made products through the "Buy Pinoy Movement."

It is intended to boost the local textile and garment manufacturing industry and generate jobs for Filipinos.

However, the Malacañang circular gives some leeway to the use of imported fabrics only if there is no local fabric of the desired quality or standard available in the market at competitive prices.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will draw up the implementing guidelines for the memorandum.

The Philippine textile industry is languishing in the doldrums due to stiff competition from imported fabrics.

Most of the raw materials for the local textile industry are actually imported. While there are some indigenous raw materials, these have not been developed and remain quite expensive to use. – Marianne Go