Merged: All About Ukay-Ukay

[Valerie]

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Naay ukay na dress?

[aizzamarie]

mostly sa ukay2 kay mga old stocks mana from foreign countries nga wala na nahalin... do some of it kay ginamit na.... naa rapud na ninyo buyers kung kamao mo mopili....pili lang sa kanang naa pay dollar tag og bag.o tan.awn... ayaw mopalit ang tag 5 og tag 10...hehe..

[Kehlpao12]

bought a jacket sa ukay2x, tan.awn murag tag 3k pero tag 150 ra diay to )

[balolot]

sa carbon sad, along sa may san jose during sundays, kun maayo lang ka mamili, maka pili man jud ka. baratu pa jud, makahangyo ka kun ubay2 imo ipalit.

[krizitoyness]

01-01-2003, 10:35 PM <============ ang thread gi ukay.. hahaha xD

[sharkey360]

The adage, “if you can’t beat them, join them”, is becoming more apt these days. While it means that “if you can’t win against stronger opponents, then it is better to not fight against them”, this adage impliedly admonishes someone who is seemingly inferior “to join together with the others on the opposing team.”

The adage, when referred to unity, has a positive connotation. However, when the same adage shall refer to a good one joining the evil ones out of frustration and apparent failure in overcoming the latter, then, it could possibly mean disaster.

Truth to tell, we may just have to deal with two (2) of the most notorious and prevalent illegal activities that are happening everyday. As clear as daylight, we are witnesses as to how “jueteng” (an illegal numbers game) and the sale of “ukay-ukay” (used clothing) proliferated in both the metropolis and the countryside. Unabated, the lawmakers are contemplating to legalize both in the guise of earning the much needed revenue to stave-off the government’s burgeoning budget deficit.

Of these two maladies, “jueteng”, done in a very inconspicuous manner, is downright condemned us illegal. On the other hand, the sale of “ukay-ukay” which is done in broad daylight is seemingly enjoying a reasonable amount of legitimacy. In fact, local government units are issuing business permits to these stuffs’ traders.

Though it appeared legitimate, importation of used clothing is illegal by virtue of Republic Act No. 4653, “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 commonly known as used clothing or rags.”

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 one shall opt to go blind, the much ballyhooed state-of-the-art X-ray machines positioned at the international ports could have easily detected them too.

Unfortunately, however, Republic Act No. 1937 (in particular, Sec. 105 paragraph v.), allows importation of these stuffs for relief work or for non-for-profit relief organizations. Thus, 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.

Indeed, we’ve been frequent wanderers of Metro Cebu’s hyperactive commercial districts doing businesses 24 hours a day, as well as, the other seemingly anemic towns and cities of Central Visayas that largely depend on market days. Undeniably, the disparities run from items just heaped in plastic tarps to well-decorated malls; from dilapidated makeshifts to superbly designed superstores; and from small and congested public markets to grandiose business centers. The disparities are infinite and comparison is endless. Despite these differences, however, they share one common sight, one item popularly known as “ukay-ukay” or used clothing. Not to be outdone, used shoes are in too, despite its atrocious smell.

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 a US$1 billion worth are sent to these countries and are rummaged through by prudent shoppers in search of a bargain. Apparently, with our insatiable desire couple with the relative ease in importing, these quality used items have glutted the market like never before. This will irreversibly move on in higher magnitude until we suffocate. Whether good or bad, this is one of the consequences of globalization. No, this is not the kind of globalization that encourages trade among countries like the Philippines. Globalization is not necessary for a flimsy desire of becoming the world’s trash bin or receptacle of thrown-out apparels.

These tons of used clothing are here because our country has become a party of a circular trade, an unavoidable consequence of globalization. Taken advantage, some businessmen have turned wealthy nations’ garbage into gold, well, by selling them for a price of a dime.

Indeed, what happens is a very circular trade and China has enormously influenced it. They supplied a huge market of wealthy nations with their globalization-driven low cost garments. These nations buy more and will dispose more. Simply said, circular trade means China makes it, rich countries buy and dump it and poor countries receive and reuse it.

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. Some of them are based in Loon, Bohol (garments) and footwear makers are dense in Carcar City, Cebu. 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. The liberal entry of “ukay-ukay” crippled this home-based industry. Unregulated, 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, decongestion of the metropolis, etc., is the same government that can’t put even a very thin shield enough to protect them from their hand-to-mouth existence.

We truly understand that the government needs the much needed revenue to fend-off our burgeoning deficit. Though such sneaky approach (legalization of importation of “ukay-ukay) shall definitely bring about revenue, conscientiously, before such pronouncement was blurted out in public, a thorough evaluation of its impact on the economy, in general, and the directly affected industry, in particular, should have been made.

Absolutely, this pronouncement emboldens importers to bring in more even before a bill to legitimize it is filed. Thus, it is now imperative that this government must act decisively and appropriately before we see our small garment manufacturers throw their last worn apparel to “ukay-ukay” traders to survive.

For your comments and suggestions, please email to foabalos@yahoo.com.

"Ukay-ukay": Unavoidable consequence of globalization - FULL DISCLOSURE By Fidel O. Abalos | The Freeman >> The Freeman Sections >> Cebu Business

[dEaNmOnIx]

Payter ning ukay² kay dako kaayo'g save. xD

[pbonjoc]

pwedi mo ask diri ug tabang. nagsurvey lang ko since i'm here in europe... anyone can give me idea kung naa ba nagbaligya ug ukay2x Pants/denim jeans nga mga brands are the following: levis 501, Diesel Denim, Tommy Hilfiger, Marlboro classic jeans, Boss Hugo, Replay, G-Star, Wrangler & Pepe Jeans London? If anyone got any information kinsa namaligya asa kaha ilang store and what are there prices? Hope someone can help with these informations. Thanks and God bless! please pm also kung unsa ba...

kay plano unta ko mag open ug ukay2x diha ug gikan diri sa europe akong ipadala with the above mention top brands. No worries ni kay ako mismo ang buyer diri ug kami ang mo quality check nga maka guarantee pud ta nga 100% no defects ang mga used clothing and it will look like new...

[dzoi_8]

lain pd aq, wer ta mkpalit og mga jacket n shorts nga ukay2 bt kanang mga nindot n branded n barato ky naa man gud uban ukay2 nga mahal sd. Tanx..

[high_heels]

I find sharkey's article about ukay ukay is interesting... I refused to call my country a dumpsite for first world countries. The ukay ukay industry is something that the government should not even be concerned of. In fact, this industry has evolved and has become the generic version of a fashion power house!!

I am an ukay ukay shopper and my entire closet is 80% ukay ukay (so 20% goes for my undergarments). There are beautiful pieces there!! Let me also correct those people who think that ukay ukay are second hand clothes from dead people. This only proves that you are ignorant of your claims, there are ukay ukay stores in the city that sell factory overruns, boutiques old stocks (US and European clothing brands).