Creation of Bureau of E-Commerce sought

MANILA, Philippines - A partylist congressman has filed a bill, seeking to create a Bureau of E-Commerce, a government office that would address the growing diverse activities in the industry.

Alay Buhay partylist Rep. Wes Gatchalian said House Bil 3878 aims to create a bureau which shall focus and work full time on e-commerce development, international competitiveness and continuing research.

Gatchalian said the bureau would also maintain statistical data, investigate administrative complaints against or by stakeholders, monitor and evaluate the e-commerce policies and programs.

He said Congress enacted into law Republic Act 8792, or the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions through the use of electronic, optical and other similar mediums.

"R.A. 8792 recognized the role of information and communication technology in commercial trade and in nation building. As such, the E-Commerce Office of the Department of Trade and Industry was created with the aim of directly supervising the promotion and development of electronic commerce in the country," Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said the bureau will be a high level office compared to the E-Commerce Office of the DTI and shall be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing and regulating office to promote e-commerce industry in the country.

In pushing for the bill, Gatchalian cited a Nielsen survey which revealed that the Philippines has at least 33.6 million internet users, representing roughly 30 percent of the country's population who are engaged or have the potential to engage in online trading.

He said the e-commerce and Internet sectors have evolved rapidly since their early development and the government should take active interest and harness the opportunities offered by these emerging technologies.

Under the measure, the E-Commerce Bureau is tasked to promote and maintain fair and efficient market conduct and effective competition between persons engaged in commercial activities connected with e-commerce.

It shall likewise promote the universal use of electronic transaction in the government and general public.

Aside from fostering the development and expansion of information and communications services in the world in collaboration with other countries and international organizations, the bureau will also give technical aid to all prosecuting and law enforcement officers and entities as well as the court that may request its services.

The bill directs the E-Commerce Bureau to conduct technical audit and establish a strong and effective regulatory system on online transaction and e-commerce and monitor and evaluate the implementation of e-commerce policies, plans and programs.

The bureau shall be headed by a director to be appointed by the President and shall be attached to the DTI.