THE PHILIPPINES NO LONGER A PART OF PLANET REEBOK

          In a "cost-cutting" reaction to its slumping sneaker
     sales, Reebok "plans to stop most of its athletic shoe
     production in the Philippines," according to Greg Gatlin of
     the BOSTON HERALD.  Reebok "plans to shift" its shoe
     manufacturing to other Asian facilities "that have been
     underutilized due to sluggish demand."  Reebok Dir of
     Communications Dave Fogelson said the move was "a reaction
     to what's happening in the marketplace," and that he "didn't
     know exactly where in the Philippines manufacturing will be
     scrapped."  However, the company "reportedly plans to end"
     subcontract agreements with Philippines-based Paramount
     Footwear and Prince Footwear, whose factories account for 5%
     of Reebok's Asian production, and "shift that business" to
     China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.  Reports say about
     5,000 jobs will be lost in the Philippines, but Fogelson
     "would not confirm the number" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/13).