The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center, for assistance in putting together the Department’s e-commerce industry plan.
According to a recent report, the input from the Law Center on regulating the industry will form part of the Department’s drafting of the Philippine e-commerce road map to 2022.
The MOU was signed by DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba and UP Law Dean Fides Cordero-Tan to establish the partnership on e-commerce policy.
The Partnership
- Under this partnership, the UP Law Center will be providing the DTI’s e-Commerce Program Office with scholarly and technical assistance in reviewing the Philippine e-commerce Roadmap 2016-2020 and in drafting the new road map.
- Currently, the Department has conducted meetings to consult with digital platforms, financial technology companies, and logistics service providers and other stakeholders to identify issues and concerns.
- This also included recommendations for the new e-commerce roadmap
- The Law Centre will contribute by assisting the DTI in drafting regulation as well as in implementing the e-commerce policy.
- Moreover, the Centre will also be working on the enhancement of the Department’s consumer and merchant protection policy, which will include the integration of e-Commerce-specific regulation and online dispute mechanisms.
- In addition, sessions with e-commerce stakeholders were hosted by the Agency so that they can identify issues and concerns.
- This also became a venue for recommendations, which will be used in formulating the e-Commerce Philippines 2022 roadmap.
More Aggressive Targets
- Back in August, the Department announced its more aggressive e-commerce targets.
- DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez reportedly shared that the government is optimistic about raising targets given the emerging new technologies.
- They explained that the sector is now expected to account for 40%-50% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2022.
- The previous estimate, which is contained in the earlier road map, was 25% of the economy by 2020.
Innovations in Data Generation
In other news, the Philippine Statistics Authority–Regional Statistical Service Office VIII (PSA-RSSO 8) held the 1st Eastern Visayas Data Festival (1st EV Data Fest) recently.
This activity is one of the highlights of the 30th National Statistics Month (NSM) Celebration in the region.
The aim of the activity was to bring together users and producers of statistics to collaborate and share knowledge and best practices towards long-term and sustainable progress in the region through different ways.
These are:
- Data revolution
- Strengthen partnerships and foster collaboration with other government offices, academe, civil society organisations, and private sector
- Instill appreciation and enhance statistical literacy on official statistics among students
- Enjoin the academe in the advocacy of statistics
The theme of the 1st EV Data Fest was “Bringing Statistics Closer to the People.” It showcased statistical updates and innovations in data generation.
Activities
There were presentations and open discussions, expositions, statistical games and contests.
The following topics were discussed during the plenary session held in the morning:
- The Philippine Statistical System, You Belong!
- How Private Are Your Data?
- Data in Action
- Success in Statistics: Position Yourself for the Future.
Meanwhile, three breakout sessions were held in the afternoon. One session showed a lecture presentation on the following data innovations:
- Image Analysis: Emerging Tool in Data Analysis 2.
- Eastern Visayas Data Shoppe
- Utilising Big Data: the SLSU Experience.
The two other sessions were statistical contests on Data Storytelling and Data Cartooning, and the statistical games, Stat Genius and Amazing Stat.
The event gathered around 250 participants, which were composed of statisticians/designated statisticians of regional line agencies and local government units.
There were also representatives from the private sector as well as faculty and students from state universities and colleges who are enrolled in statistics and related programs in the region.
