NEDA, DTI submit 'wish list' to Senate

MANILA, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have submitted their legislation “wish list” to the Senate, led by the proposed competition or antitrust law.

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., chairman of the committees on trade and commerce and economic affairs, said that antitrust law would be one of the priority measures lined up for discussion.

The bill aims to promote fair competition by eliminating monopolistic practices.

NEDA Director General Cayetano Paderanga also cited the need to pass IT or information technology-related legislation in order to prevent online fraud and sabotage.

He also pushed for the passage of the rationalization of fiscal incentives and the national land use act, which he said would be helpful in planning investments.

Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya also pushed for the passage of the antitrust law, rationalization of fiscal incentives and the land use act.

She also cited the need to amend the Consumer Act, the Export Development Act, Standards Law, Build-Operate-Transfer Law and Export Development Act.

The other bills being pushed by the DTI are the lemon law, anti-smuggling, strengthening of the construction industry, cyber crimes act, a law on data/privacy protection and the omnibus amendments to the Intellectual Property Code.