Phl seeks duty-free entry for Visayas products

The Philippines is seeking duty-free access of certain products produced from areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Central Visayas as part of the government’s efforts to spur the recovery and rehabilitation of the affected communities.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. announced the plan in his remarks at a conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the role of the US government and military, the private sector and non-government organizations in responding to the devastation.

“Similar to what the United States did following the Haiti earthquake, the Philippines is looking at possible trade preference for products from Haiyan-affected areas,” Cuisia said.

However, he said the Philippines is looking at arrangements that would allow duty-free access for a limited period of time for a limited number of products coming from the affected areas, mostly in the Central Visayas.

In his presentation, Cuisia expressed his appreciation to the US government and the American people for the generous assistance extended to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

The typhoon, one of strongest in recorded history, killed 6,183 people dead, affected 2.6 million families and displaced 930,000 others. Another 28,626 people were injured and 1,785 people remain missing. It also left more than $12.9 million in damages.

According to Cuisia, the total US assistance package from the US government is estimated at around $85 million and covered food aid, shelter materials, clean water, and hygiene education and supplies for affected families as well as protection for vulnerable populations.