MALACAÃANG
MANILA
MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 23
PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF FORFEITED AND/OR ABANDONED USED CLOTHINGS IN CUSTOMS CUSTODY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the importation of used clothings is banned under Republic Act No. 4653 to among others, safeguard the health of our people;
WHEREAS, used clothings forfeited in favor of the government may be put to good use, such as for distribution to calamity victims, provided they are first fumigated or otherwise treated to eliminate the presence of communicable diseases;
WHEREAS, there is a need to insure that donated forfeited used clothings are not diverted to the domestic market nor put to illegal use;
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Customs does not have adequate storage facilities for confiscated used clothings, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has the expertise to rid imported used clothings of communicable diseases as well as the facilities needed for its proper storage for future use.
NOW THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
SECTION 1. All forfeited used clothings shall be immediately turned. over by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as soon as the forfeiture decision becomes final and executory.
SEC. 2. The DSWD shall undertake needed treatment of the used clothings to insure that they are free from any communicable disease before they are distributed to calamity victims and other beneficiaries as authorized by the DSWD Secretary.
SEC. 3. The cost of hauling the used clothing from the ports shall be borne by the DSWD.
SEC. 4. The DSWD and the BOC shall issue a joint order prescribing the mechanics of the turnover to insure that the objectives of this order are achieved.
SEC.5. This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in force and effect until otherwise revoked.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 30th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety two.
(Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
By the President:
(Sgd.) PETER D. GARRUCHO, JR.
Acting Executive Secretary
Source: CDAsia
