Furniture sector seeks gov't support

Local furniture manufacturers are seeking immediate government intervention to safeguard the industry from the impact of the 17-percent tariffs imposed by the United States on Philippine goods, citing the risk of potential factory closures and job losses.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

In a position paper addressed to the Department of Trade and Industry, the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (CFIP), Pampanga Furniture Industries Foundation (PFIF), and Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) said the tariffs would make local furniture less attractive to American buyers.

Imposing higher taxes is expected to increase prices, eroding the industry's competitive price advantage in the US' $1.8-billion furniture import market.

As a result, the industry groups said manufacturing facilities would close down, leading to job losses for approximately six million Filipinos in the supply chain.

They said the tariffs would even impede the industry's 2030 roadmap, which aims to establish the country as Asia's design innovation hub and global leader in high-end furniture.