PCC launches investigation station in Bicol

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has launched an investigation station (i-Station) in Legazpi City to expand its reach in the country.

In a statement yesterday, PCC announced the opening of another hub at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office in Legazpi City.

PCC decided to set up an i-Station in Legazpi City amid the  ongoing cases and queries being handled by the agency.

Similar to the i-Station in Baguio City, which serves as the North Luzon hub and opened last year, PCC tapped local personnel for the i-Station in Legazpi for more efficient operations and a better understanding of the local communities’ competition concerns.

The i-Station in Legazpi will serve as a temporary workstation for PCC staff until the permanent regional office opens.

“Boosting our operations in Bicol through the Legazpi i-Station will increase competition law enforcement presence and facilitate stronger interactions with the local communities. This satellite office will allow us to directly connect with our regional stakeholders and partners in government,” PCC chairperson Arsenio Balisacan said.

“We look forward to working closely with the NEDA Regional Office in Legazpi City in operationalizing the strategic initiatives drawn from the National Competition Policy (NCP) and in enabling pro-competition policies in the region,” he said.

Under the Office of the President’s Administrative Order 44 issued last year, all government agencies, including local government units, as well as government-owned or controlled corporations are directed to comply with the NCP by having pro-competitive policies and interventions, promoting a level playing field, and assisting the PCC in enforcing the competition law.

Following the launch of the i-Station, PCC is set to hold a multi-sectoral forum for local businesses, consumer groups and other stakeholders in Legazpi to discuss competition law enforcement and the NCP.

PCC also plans to open two more i-Stations, particularly in Cebu City in the Visayas, and Davao City in Mindanao within the third quarter of the year.

By setting up i-Stations, PCC aims to promote stronger competition law enforcement and advocacy in regional areas.

Through the i-Stations, PCC will not only be able to conduct its investigation more efficiently, but will also have better coordination with regional government agencies in handling complaints and queries.  “The branching out of the agency is in line with its vision to become a world-class competition authority. Well-respected and established competition agencies in other jurisdictions, such as the United States Federal Trade Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, operate similarly to cater to the expanding consumer need for a broader antitrust presence in their economies,” Balisacan said.