CONSIDERING how the global pandemic has notably boosted online businesses nationwide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go emphasized the need for the government to intensify the support given to Filipino micro-entrepreneurs as he co-sponsored and co-authored Senate Bill 1846, which seeks to protect consumers and merchants engaged in e-commerce.

“The pandemic required us to explore new ways and more convenient options to do business. As we enter the new normal, it is undeniable that online transactions have been a necessity, if not the new norm for all of us,” cited Go.

“Napakarami pong covered ng e-commerce: from our basic needs like food, drink, and clothing; our medical needs; and even our mobile devices can be availed online, talaga pong anything under the sun,” he noted.

According to Google and Temasek’s 2021 eConomy SEA Report, the country’s internet economy soar from $9 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in 2020 to $17 billion in GMV in the succeeding year and is projected to grow to $26 billion in GMV in 2025.

The bill notes that the Philippines has the lowest digital consumer penetration in the region at 68%, lower than Singapore (97%), Thailand (90%), Malaysia (81%), Indonesia (80%) and Vietnam (71%). This, on the other hand, indicates the huge potential for growth in e-commerce transactions.

“Protektahan po natin ang ating mga maliliit na negosyo at ating mga online sellers na ang gusto lamang ay maghanapbuhay para sa kanilang mga pamilya, lalung-lalo na po ngayong panahong ito. This is very crucial to the recovery of our country,” emphasized Go.

“Given the rising number of consumers opting to more convenient and safer ways of doing business, it is therefore incumbent to the State, to provide its constituents the protection it can give, to ensure that the rights and safety of both the customer and merchants are upheld in every transaction,” he highlighted.

The proposed bill seeks to mandate the creation of an e-Commerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry which shall have authority over activities conducted over the internet for better regulation.

It also provides for the regulatory jurisdiction of the DTI over e-marketplaces, e-retailers, online merchants, and other digital platforms that sell or allow the sale or exchange of goods, services, or digital products, and are purposely availing of the Philippine market.

SBN 1846 consolidates eight bills, including SBNs 612, 806, 1125, 1250, 1341, 1424, 1478, and 154, in which the latter was filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchilian and co-authored by Go.

“I express my utmost support to the passage of the measure… In fact, I co-authored the measure filed by Senator Win Gatchalian. To our consumers and merchants, makakaasa po kayo that we are doing everything that we can to protect your rights and interest,” Go reassured.

Meanwhile, Go also continues to push for his filed SBN 1184, or the proposed “Food, Grocery, and Pharmacy Delivery Services Protection Act of 2022”, which aims to strengthen the social protection given to individuals engaged in delivery services in the country.

Under the proposed law, it shall be prohibited for any food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service provider to require riders or drivers to shell out any monetary amount for the fulfillment of orders. In case of cancellation of orders, the service providers shall still pay the delivery riders for their services as though the transaction was successful.

The law shall also adopt a “Know-Your-Customer Rules”, which shall require the customers, prior to the registration with their mobile phone applications, internet websites or other similar platforms, to submit a valid proof of identity. This shall likewise be implemented by the service providers.

“Tinuturing nating mga frontliners ang ating mga delivery riders dahil sinisugurado nila na maihatid sa inyo ang inyong kinakailangan habang sinasakripisyo nila ang kanilang kalusugan. Kaya naman marapat lang sa gobyerno ang mabigyan sila ng kinakailangan nilang proteksyon,” Go previously said.

“Napakalaki po ng kontribusyon nila sa ating ekonomiya. Bukod sa mabilis na paraang makabili ng pagkain, nagbibigay rin ang industriyang ito ng maayos na kabuhayan sa ating mga kababayan sa ligtas at marangal na paraan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Go also continues to advocate for the digitalization of government transactions in order to reduce red tape, prevent corruption, improve service delivery, and bring government closer to the people through the use of information and communication technology.

He earlier filed Senate Bill 194 the proposed E-governance Act to strengthen data sharing among government agencies and digitalize paper-based and other traditional modes of workflows for a more efficient and transparent public service. This measure is also part of the Marcos administration’s priority legislations as mentioned in the President’s first SONA and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“The government must use information and communications technology to better serve its purpose and get closer to the people in an era where practically everything can be done online and through other digital channels,” he earlier said.

“Nakita natin ang importansya ng digital transformation in government. Sa private sector, napilitan ang mga negosyo na mag-adopt ng e-commerce techniques para mapabuti ang mga serbisyo nila. Hindi pwede mahuli ang gobyerno — there’s no better time than now to prioritize the government’s digital transformation,” he added.

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