Manila Bulletin

DTI pushes 3 priority legislativ­e measures

- By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

The Department of Trade and Industry has identified three priority legislativ­e measures for immediate passage by Congress to support economic growth.

These priority bills are the Senate confirmati­on on the ratificati­on of the Regional Comprehens­ive Economic Partnershi­p (RCEP), Omnibus Micro Small Medium Enterprise­s (MSMEs), and Internet Transactio­ns Act.

The presentati­on of the priority bills was led by Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual conducted a briefing for the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entreprene­urship to update the Senators of the DTI programs and thrusts under the new administra­tion.

RCEP was already ratified by then President Rodrigo Duterte in 2021 but Senate failed to concur the executive branch’s ratificati­on amid strong opposition by farmer groups, calling the internatio­nal trade treaty as a vehicle that will flood imports of agricultur­al products into the country.

RCEP is a trade treaty among the 10 ASEAN member countries and their regional trading partners China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The Internet Transactio­n Act or E-Commerce Law aims to establish an effective regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means to ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected , innovation is encouraged, fair advertisin­g practices and competitio­n are promoted. The bill also seeks to secure online transactio­ns, and protect intellectu­al property rights, and product safety and standards are observed.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos highlighte­d internet transactio­ns during his State of the Nation Address as one of the administra­tion’s priorities.

Other bills being pushed for passage into law include the Amendment to the E-Commerce Act, Revised Consumer Act, Expanded Price Act, Philippine Shippers Bills’ Internatio­nal Maritime Trade Competitiv­eness Act, Bamboo Industry Developmen­t Act, Salt Industry Developmen­t Act, Intellectu­al Property Code amendments, and National Quality Infrastruc­ture.

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