MANILA, Philippines – Hiniling ni Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte ang agarang pagpasa sa panukalang Internet Transactions Act na magbibigay daan sa pagtatag ng E-Commerce Bureau sa ilalim ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) na magkaroon ng mandato na tiyakin ang ligtas na online transactions.

Ayon kay Duterte ang agarang pagpasa sa nasabing panukala ay makatutulong sa naging pagsasabatas kamakailan ng pagpaparehistro ng Subscriber Identity Modules (Simcard).

“While both the SIM Registration Law and the proposed Internet Transactions Act under House Bill (HB) 3050 aim to protect consumers from fraud, the latter provides for additional protection to e-commerce consumers and merchants alike,” pahayag ni Duterte.

“HB 3050 also promotes trust and accountability in the country’s e-commerce market with the goal of further accelerating the growth of this sector, and encouraging micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to take advantage of digital innovations to expand their businesses,” dagdag pa ng mambabatas.

Iginiit nito na para masiguro na may proteksyon ang mga negosyante at mga consumer ay dapat mayroong regulasyon sa paggamit ng internet.

“This is to ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected, innovation is encouraged, fair advertising practices and competition are promoted, online transactions are secured, intellectual property rights are respected and product standards and safety are observed,” ani Duterte.

Sa ilalim ng panukala, ang e-commerce division na kasalukuyang nasa ilalim ng DTI ay tatanggalin at papalitan ng E-Commerce Bureau.

Magkakaroon ng kapangyarihan ang nasabing bureau na atasan ang mga e-commerce business na magrehistro sa DTI- Online Business Registry.

“The bureau will identify regulatory gaps affecting the e-commerce industry and recommend appropriate executive or legislative measures to foster this sector’s growth; and act as a virtual one-stop shop tasked to receive, address and facilitate the speedy resolution of consumer complaints on unresolved internet transactions,” paliwanag ni Duterte.

Umaasa ang mambabatas na susuportahan ng House Leadership ang panukala lalo at simula ng pandemya ay lumakas at normal na ang transaksyon ng mga Filipino gamit ang online retail at e-commerce services.

Sa datos ng 2021 e-Conomy report sa Southeast Asia na ginawa ng Google at Temasek lumilitaw na ang Pilipinas ay isa sa fastest-growing e-commerce market isa Southeast Asia, nabatid na nasa 12 million ang bagong digital consumers nito mula nang pandemic, sa nasabing bilang ay 63% ang nasa ang since the start of the pandemic.

Sa laki ng online market ang gross merchandise value (GMV) ng Pilipinas pagdating sa internet economyay noong 2021 ay nasa $17 billion, pagdating ng 2025 ay aabot na umano sa $40 billion.

“Establishing the DTI’s E-Commerce Bureau and according it with the appropriate powers and responsibilities will help “build trust between online merchants and consumers via secure and reliable e-commerce platforms where goods and services are transacted with transparency and utmost efficiency,” pagtatapos pa ni Duterte.