RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE APPROPRIATE SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY ROADMAP FOR E-COMMERCE WITH THE END VIEW OF REVIEWING THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8792

Whereas, Republic Act No. 8792, also known as the E-Commerce Act of 2000 recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology (ICT) in nation-building; the need to create an information-friendly environment which supports and ensures the availability, diversity and affordability of ICT products and services;

Whereas, under the law, there shall be an installed electronic online network among government departments, agencies, bureaus, down to the division level and to the regional and provincial and regional offices as practicable as possible, government owned and controlled corporations, government units, other public instrumentalities, universities, colleges and other schools, and universal access to the general public;

Whereas, to facilitate the rapid development of the government information infrastructure (GIl), the Department of Transportation and Communications, National Telecommunications Commission and the National Computer Center were mandated to aggressively promote and implement a policy environment and regulatory or nonregulatory framework that shall lead to the substantial reduction of costs of including, but not limited to, lease lines, land, satellite and dial-up telephone access, cheap broadband and wireless accessibility to the government and the general public;

Whereas, the Philippine Development Plan of 2011-2016 adopts an inclusive growth framework and mandates the government to create a national industrial strategy that shall promote job generation and boost investment in the country. The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Industry Development Group, coordinated the fifty seven different industry associations to produce roadmaps which should guide the growth and development of various industries;

Whereas, in the latest World Economic Forum Global Information and Technology report, the Philippines showed a marked improvement with a rank of 78 out of 148 countries from its previous ranking of 86. In order to sustain this development, there is a need to assess the roadmap for the E-Commerce sector through the aid of appropriate government agencies to promote innovation and further improve the industry’s growth.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it is hereby resolved to direct the appropriate Senate Committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the development of a national industrial roadmap for E-Commerce with the end view of reviewing the provisions of Republic Act No. 8792.

DOWNLOAD SRN 709