Following the closure of Charter Link Clark, Inc., nearly 500 garment workers in the Clark Freeport Zone are finding new opportunities as rival manufacturers step in to fill the gap.
Charter Link Clark, a longtime supplier to global athleisure brand Lululemon and sustainable apparel company Tentree International, ceased operations at the end of 2025 due to declining orders and the loss of its primary foreign client.
Welively Inc., another Clark-based garment manufacturer supplying major US retailers like Walmart, is actively recruiting affected employees to support its growing production needs.
Industry sources indicate Welively will also take on new orders previously handled by Charter Link Clark, reflecting the company’s ongoing expansion amid a challenging local industry environment.
“Other garment companies are keen on hiring more people by the hundreds,” said one insider, noting a surge in recruitment activity as firms compete for skilled labor.
This contrasts sharply with Charter Link’s shutdown, highlighting how diversification and stable client portfolios can shield manufacturers from abrupt demand drops.
To mitigate the disruption, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are co-hosting a Jobs Fair on January 9, 2026. The event aims to match displaced workers with immediate employment opportunities across Clark Freeport Zone and nearby areas.
DOLE Regional Office III Director Geraldine Panlilio confirmed the activation of a Quick Response Team to profile workers and recommend interventions, including livelihood programs.
Of Charter Link Clark’s 477 affected employees, 399 have received full separation pay, while the remainder will collect benefits in the coming months, according to a December 2025 DOLE report.
CDC President Agnes VST Devanadera emphasized the need for transparency and coordination between locators and government agencies to ensure smooth workforce transitions.
the situation underscores a broader trend that show firms with diversified clients and strong domestic demand increasingly positioned to absorb displaced labor, turning layoffs in one company into growth opportunities for others.
