e-commerce

SRN-709: Development of a National Industrial Strategy Roadmap for E-Commerce

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.

 

 

PDFiconDOWNLOAD SRN 709

E-Commerce Law to Improve Ease of Doing Business, Internet Connection – Sen. Bam

 

If properly developed, Senator Bam Aquino believes that Republic Act 8792, better known as the E-Commerce Law, would improve ease of doing business and provide cheaper and faster Internet connection.

 Passed in 2000, the senator said the law mandates several government agencies, led by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), to promote and implement a framework that will result to cheap and fast broadband and wireless accessibility, which will allow trade online.

“If implemented to the letter, the E-Commerce Law will be a big help in our mission to give the public cheaper and faster Internet connection to allow them to explore livelihood online,” explained Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Aquino recently spearheaded the inquiry into the slow and expensive Internet connection in the country.

The senator stressed that the law will help address the country’s problem in terms of ease of doing business as it mandates the establishment of an electronic online network that connects all government agencies down to the regional level.

“With all government agencies connected by a single network, processing of documents will be easier, faster and cheaper because you don’t have to jump from one office to another,” Aquino explained.

E-Commerce could also boost job generation with the high demand in online-related jobs such as business process outsourcing (BPO), gaming and animation, and online marketing.

“Also, we are now starting to see the arrival of jobs that can be done without leaving home, such as online writing, design and document analysis,” Aquino explained.

Aside from this, E-Commerce will also empower online entrepreneurs who promote and sell their products on the Internet.

“E-Commerce could provide more opportunities for livelihood and earning, locally and globally. With Filipinos being online savvy, the world is our market and our opportunities are limitless,” he added.

In line with this, Aquino filed a resolution seeking to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation on the development of the country’s national industrial roadmap for E-Commerce since it was passed 14 years ago.

“We want to know where we are in terms of ICT and if the law has been effective in carrying out plans, program and reforms to boost E-Commerce in the country,” said Aquino.

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,” Aquino added.

 

Scroll to top