Policy and state purpose
- The Rules align with the State policy to instill patriotism and nationalism among the people, especially public officials and employees.
- The Rules require public officials and employees to remain loyal to the Republic and the Filipino people.
- The State policy includes promoting the preferential use of locally manufactured goods that utilize local resources.
- The State policy requires measures that help local goods become competitive to generate wider employment and greater benefits to the country.
Coverage: who must use PTF
- The use of Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) for uniforms of public officials and employees applies to all government officials and employees occupying regular positions, whether appointive or elective.
- Coverage includes all government branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) with original charters.
- Coverage includes Local Government Units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and Local Water Districts (LWDs).
- PTF usage for purposes other than official uniforms that require fabrics in government offices and functions applies to national government agencies, branches, subdivisions, and instrumentalities, including GOCCs with original charters, as well as LGUs, SUCs, LUCs, and LWDs.
- The Rules do not apply to consultants, apprentices, and workers hired through job orders, contracts of service, and GOCCs without original charters, while encouraging their use of PTF as official uniform.
Key definitions for compliance
- Attestation is a document issued by a textile producer to fabric suppliers and/or garment manufacturers attesting that a certain quantity of PTF is from a certified batch of textiles produced.
- Certification is a document issued by DOST-PTRI on compliance with R.A. No. 9242 test standards of a batch of textiles produced by a textile producer.
- Clothing Embellishment or Adornment refers to accessory or ornament added or attached to fabric or uniform using outside mediums such as threads, embroidery, ribbon, sequins, beads, yarns, cords, buttons, lace, applique, and similar materials; and includes items like scarf, necktie, shawl, bag, shoes, belt, buckle, brooch/pin, and hair accessories.
- Fabric Supplier means an R.A. No. 9242-qualified local enterprise that commercially distributes textiles from local textile producers.
- Garment Manufacturer means an R.A. No. 9242-qualified local enterprise engaged in sewing, cutting, making, processing, repairing, finishing, assembling, or otherwise converting textile or fabric materials into a garment or article of clothing designed or intended to be worn.
- Local Sources means DTI-certified direct manufacturers or traders of PTF within Philippine territory.
- Natural Textile Fiber (NTF) is a discrete piece of animal or plant/vegetable-origin material produced and processed in the Philippines, including abaca (Musa textilis Nee), banana (Musa sp.), pineapple (Ananas comosus), silk (Bombyx mori), bamboo (Bambusa blumeana or Bambusa textilis), and others; NTFs constitute the natural fiber component of PTF as designated by a technical committee convened annually and led by DOST-PTRI.
- Permit to Transport Fibers is a document issued by DA-PhilFIDA to licensed fiber trading/processing establishments stating the place of origin of the NTFs and other relevant details.
- Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) are fabrics containing NTFs produced, spun, woven, or knitted, and finished in the Philippines, and tested and certified by DOST-PTRI as compliant with R.A. No. 9242.
- Textile Producer means an R.A. No. 9242-qualified local manufacturer engaged in production of textiles using locally-sourced NTFs through spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, printing, and/or finishing.
Required PTF use and limits
- PTF use is prescribed for official uniforms of government officials and employees.
- PTF use applies whether for the entire set of uniforms or part thereof.
- PTF use is not allowed as mere clothing embellishment or adornment.
- PTF is prescribed also for other purposes requiring fabrics in government offices and functions.
Standards, testing, certification, transport permits
- All fabrics used for uniforms and other purposes must have a natural fiber component of at least five percent (5%) by weight for NTFs and silk.
- DOST-PTRI must develop and issue guidelines (Annex “A”) for securing Certification (Annex “B”), including compliance with R.A. No. 9242 requirements on origin, processing, composition, and other properties of NTFs, and other necessary forms.
- DOST-PTRI must conduct tests on fabric composition and other properties to determine compliance with the minimum standards required for PTF use in uniforms and other purposes.
- DOST-PTRI must issue the appropriate certification and evaluation of test results.
- Applicants seeking PTF Certification must submit their fabrics to DOST-PTRI for pre-qualification assessment and mandatory testing according to DOST-PTRI guidelines.
- Fabric suppliers or garment manufacturers bidding for government uniforms and other purposes must submit PTF Certification attaching the Evaluation of Test Results issued by DOST-PTRI.
- DA-PhilFIDA must issue a Permit to Transport Fibers (Annex “C”) in accordance with its rules.
Exemption procedure and evaluation roles
- Exemption from the use of PTF may be allowed only if the specifications required of the particular uniform cannot be met by PTF properties.
- DOST-PTRI must evaluate and give recommendation on exemption requests based on meeting PTF properties.
- CSC issues the appropriate notices of exemption.
- Notices of exemption are issued under CSC purview regardless of whether the basis is specifications-related or supply-related.
Procurement rules and documentary requirements
- Procuring entities must adopt procurement rules and procedures under the existing procurement law and its implementing rules and regulations.
- PTF for uniforms of government officials and employees and for other purposes must be procured from local sources.
- If the textile producer cannot sufficiently provide the required PTF at a given time, the textile producer must issue a certification stating such fact.
- The certification for non-sufficient supply must be submitted to the CSC for the issuance of an appropriate notice of exemption.
- In addition to bidding requirements, suppliers must submit required PTF documents to the Bids and Awards Committee or its equivalent unit responsible for procurement of uniforms and other purposes.
- Suppliers must submit, for each agency/department, the following:
- Certification from DOST-PTRI stating compliance with R.A. No. 9242 (Annex “B”).
- Attestation issued by the textile producer that the fabric is part of certified PTF stock, including identification as marked in the selvage of the fabric.
- Permit to Transport Fibers from DA-PhilFIDA stating origin of the fiber (including abaca, banana, pineapple, silk, and other fibers).
Implementation structure and monitoring
- A Technical Committee is created to ensure implementation of the law and the Rules.
- The Technical Committee is composed of representatives from DOST-PTRI, DTI, CSC, and DA-PhilFIDA.
- The Technical Committee must oversee effective implementation of the law.
- The Technical Committee must formulate a roadmap as the master plan for overall implementation.
- The Technical Committee must identify strategies for systematic, coordinated, and effective implementation and achievement of objectives.
- The Technical Committee must evaluate programs and recommend interventions to improve mechanisms, processes, and activities.
- The Technical Committee must resolve issues brought before it for decisions on implementation matters.
Member-agency duties and reporting
- DOST-PTRI serves as Head of the Technical Committee.
- DOST-PTRI conducts fabric testing, ensures all aspects of fabric compliance, and issues test reports, evaluation of test results, and R.A. No. 9242 compliance certification to qualified applicants.
- DOST-PTRI receives and evaluates requests for exemption and issues the appropriate notice of exemption.
- DOST-PTRI develops new technologies and improves products and processes through research.
- DTI assists the local textile industry on production, fabric compliance, marketing, promotion, supply, and distribution of PTF to government agencies.
- DTI addresses product certification through the Bureau of Product Standards when authorized or mandated by law to verify fabric conformance to particular standards.
- DTI adopts measures to make the local textile industry competitive, spearheads strategies for growth and development of the PTF industry, issues a certificate of non-availability of supply of PTF, and extends and promotes PTFs in local markets.
- CSC releases and disseminates issuances to ensure government agencies’ compliance, including Memorandum Circulars for mobilizing government agencies to comply with the law.
- CSC monitors compliance of government agencies in wearing PTF uniforms.
- CSC consolidates Technical Committee member reports and submits them to Congress.
- CSC provides secretariat services to the Technical Committee, including coordination of meetings, preparation of meeting documents/materials, drafting minutes, and record management.
- DA-PhilFIDA provides production data on tropical fibers and extends field technical services assistance.
- DA-PhilFIDA ensures implementation of standards for required fiber quality and enforces fiber trading regulations, including issuing certification that fiber origin is of local source.
- DA-PhilFIDA ensures stable supply and adequate production of local NTF.
- Each member agency must submit a status report on its jurisdiction/responsibility to the CSC (as Technical Committee Secretariat) not later than September of each year for evaluation.
- CSC must submit an annual report to Congress on or before the end of December every year.
Agency-head accountability and reporting
- Heads of Agencies are responsible for implementing R.A. No. 9242 and these Rules in their respective agencies.
- Heads of Agencies must submit to CSC a report on implementation and compliance with R.A. No. 9242 and these Rules not later than the first week of August of every year.
Resolving agency implementation issues
- Issues and concerns of government agencies related to compliance or implementation are addressed by the responsible Technical Committee member agency.
- Matters are resolved in writing by the Technical Committee member agency identified by function (for example, fabric testing and certification handled by DOST-PTRI).
- Heads of Agencies must ensure resolution and implementation of these Rules and the law not later than the first week of August of every year.
Repeal and effect of prior IRR issuances
- The Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 9242 under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 18, s. 2005 promulgated on 11 October 2005, CSC Memorandum Circular No. 22, s. 2010, and all other inconsistent issuances or provisions are repealed, revised, or modified accordingly.
Effective date and publication
- The Rules take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.