The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) represented the Philippines in the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) Consumer Affairs Program (CAP) Phase II E-Commerce Workshop from June 21-23, 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The three-day workshop organized by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) centered around the crucial aspects of investigating, enforcing, and implementing consumer laws in the rapidly evolving realm of e-commerce.
The workshop brought together representatives from the ASEAN Member States and esteemed resource speakers from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and ACCC to foster a deeper understanding of the status of consumer protection in the digital landscape.
In her opening remarks, DTI Consumer Protection Group (CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo stressed, “E-Commerce remains a high priority issue for ASEAN and that everyone needs to constantly learn and adopt, by absorbing any new information of current and best practices within and outside of the region.”
During the first day of the workshop, the DTI presented the country’s consumer protection efforts in e-commerce. Consumer Policy and Advocacy Bureau Director Atty. Marcus N. Valdez II explains, “The CPG is committed to protecting the rights and interests of consumers by providing consumer education and information dissemination programs, overseeing the effective implementation and enforcement of fair-trade laws, and providing a mechanism for the speedy resolution of consumer complaints.”Â
The Proposed Revision of the Republic Act No. 7394, known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines; and the Internet Transactions Act were part of the e-commerce policies presented by the DTI.
In response to the continuous technological advancement, the DTI also shared its technology-based projects for consumers. Two of them were e-Presyo, an online price monitoring system where consumers can check the prevailing prices of basic necessities and prime commodities; and the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) Verification Mobile Application which allows the public to verify the authenticity of the ICC quality seal attached to imported products.Â
Additionally, the DTI reported about its Integrated Registration Information System (IREGIS), an online portal that facilitates the processing of frontline services, including the application of sales promotions, import applications, and applications for service and repair enterprises, as well as sea freight forwarders.
The DTI also introduced its latest advocacy initiative, DTI Legit Check Facebook page, distinguishing reputable online stores from suspicious ones to further protect consumers in the digital economy. Online stores that lack the necessary/appropriate business registration/license or appear suspicious will be posted on the page.
