Government agencies sign guidelines for the Internet Transactions Act

Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual stressed the importance of establishing a clear and comprehensive framework for the development of e-commerce in the country by signing the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Act No. 11967, also known as the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) of 2023.

The IRR provides a framework for the implementation of ITAs aimed at developing Philippine e-commerce. Representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Health (DOH), and National Privacy Commission (NPC) joined the DTI as co-signatories of the IRR.

“I think the role of development is to make sure that regulations don’t impede the free development of e-commerce,” Pascual said. “E-commerce would still be driven by the private sector.”

However, he also emphasized the importance of public and private cooperation in this initiative.

The ITA IRR sets out procedures and guidelines for inter-agency cooperation, setting out responsibilities for digital platforms, e-marketplaces, online sellers, online sellers and consumers. Secretary Pascual noted the bill’s potential to create opportunities for Filipinos dependent on internet businesses and services.

“I am confident that this law and IRR will positively revolutionize e-commerce in the Philippines,” Pascual said. “By building trust in online transactions, we create more opportunities for high-quality and better-paying jobs.”

2028 Roadmap for E-Commerce in the Philippines

The e-commerce office will lead efforts to address issues such as digital payments, agriculture and health products, data privacy, complaints and dispute resolution, intellectual property and tax.

DTI Undersecretary and E-Commerce Leader Mary Jean Pacheco highlighted the extensive deliberations and consultations that led to the finalization of the IRR.

“Now that we have an internal legal foundation, we can expect our e-commerce to thrive, offering both consumers and sellers the security that the ITA provisions provide,” said Senator Mark Villar, lead author and sponsor of the ITA in Senate.

The signing of the ITA IRR supports the Philippines’ 2028 e-commerce roadmap, which includes developing digital farm-to-market routes, promoting tourism and protecting copyright-based industries.