A 1966 Philippine law, Republic Act 4653, prohibits the commercial importation of used clothing, but DWSD said the shipment from Saipan will be classified as “humanitarian goods.”
This was according to Jun Concillado, president of the Pilipino Contract Workers Association, who facilitated the fundraising drive with the United Workers Movement, NMI on Saipan.
Concillado said he has talked with Elma Pille, who is in-charge of the DSWD office designated to receive donations from abroad.
Concillado said DSWD “can forward the donations to our intended recipient [the Dalaw Kalinga Foundation] but according to (Pille) not all will be given to the recipient. So I assume they may need to retain some for their own distribution.”
Concillado’s group had a meeting with Philippine Consul General Medardo Macaraig and Consul Belinda Ante regarding the shipment of the donation boxes and the restrictions imposed by Republic Act 4653.
The consulate advised the group to contact DSWD.
Concillado said they are “relieved” by DWSD’s assurances and are now processing and packing the donations scheduled to be flown to the Philippines this week.
Pilcowa chairman Ronnie Doca said their group will continue accepting donations before they can transport all the boxes to the Philippines.
As of Oct. 12 the group had collected 60 boxes of in-kind donations and $922 in cash donations.
“We would like to thank all individuals, groups and companies who have supported the fundraising,” United Workers Movement, NMI president Rabby Syed said.
