Thrifting is called “Ukay-Ukay” (pronounced as ooh-kai) here in the Philippines. To explain its etymology, basically “ukay” from the word “halukay,” is a Tagalog word which means “to dig.” To dig or sift through the pile of clothes is what people do when searching for good finds. Although it has been a source of affordable clothing for most people since who knows when, the thrift culture in the Philippines has been gaining more attention in the past years. Nowadays, the thrifting has increased its appeal to the public and is celebrated for its sustainability, uniqueness, and the even just the thrill of it.
Anyhow, even though the practice of thrifting has been thriving here in the country for a long time, it is not common knowledge that thrifting clothes is illegal here in the Philippines since 1966. Republic Act No. 4654 prohibits the commercial importation of used clothes. According to the law, it is to safeguard public health and to maintain the nation’s dignity. This means that every piece of Ukay clothing in circulation within the country were acquired illegally. However, that does not stop the people from patronizing it.
Considering recent events, the legalization of commercial importation of used clothing has been proposed in the Philippine Congress by neophyte Senator Raffy Tulfo. The proposed legalization seeks to legitimize the import of used clothing, and its distribution in the country. The rationale behind this proposition is that selling and buying used clothing has been rampant in the country, even with the existing law that prohibits it. So, without the ability to control its widespread smuggling, the government might just have to roll with it and earn revenue along the way through taxes.
On the second part of our Thrift Thrills Series, we will dig deeper on the possible implications of this legalization process to the thrift industry in the Philippines. The Thrift Thrills Series will return! See ya'll on the next one!
