THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has issued a reminder to heads of government agencies that they must submit their reports on the implementation of, and compliance with, the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law (RA No. 9242) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) no later than the first week of this month.
The 2004 law requires the use of Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) as a component of at least five percent of the office uniforms of agency officials and employees to promote nationalism and to support local farmers whose products are used to manufacture blends of natural fibers, including abaca, pineapple, banana, and silk.
Covered by the law are constitutional bodies, departments, bureaus, and satellite offices under the national government, local government units, government-owned or controlled corporations, state colleges and universities, and local water districts.
However, the law and its IRR allow exemptions for government health personnel like doctors and nurses whose personal protective gear requires specialized fabric for safety and hygiene, firefighters, athletes, and law enforcement officers whose operational gear cannot be met by PTF.
Likewise, casual and job order hires, as well as consultants whose services are engaged only for a limited period, are given exemptions, although they are also encouraged to participate in PTF office attire.
The revised IRR of the PTF Law was signed by former CSC chairperson Karlo Nograles on July 14, 2023.
“In accordance with Rule VII of the Amended Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the PTF Law, heads of government agencies are required to submit to the CSC a report on their agency’s implementation of, and compliance with, the PTF law and its IRR not later than the first week of August of every year,” the CSC said in its advisory.
To facilitate the submission of compliance reports, the CSC has developed a dedicated reporting tool for this purpose. All agencies are encouraged to use the PTF Monitoring Tool, which contains a set of questions to help assess the agencies’ implementation of the PTF law.
The PTF Monitoring Tool will be accessible from July 28 to August 8, 2025. The agency Human Resource Management Officer (HRMO) or designated Integrated Government Human Resource System (IGHRS) focal person may access the tool within the said period using the same email address used to access the IGHRS, and a default password to be provided by the CSC.
