Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde is hopeful that Congress would soon enact a measure that will regulate internet transactions.
This developed as the House Committee on Trade and Industry on Wednesday approved a consolidated version of bills, including Atayde’s House Bill 3084 or the Internet Transactions Act, that aims to regulate online commercial activities and ensure the protection of consumers who engage in online transactions.
The bill is among President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s priority measures that he asked Congress to legislate during his first State of the Nation Address in July. The measure had passed 3rd and final reading in the 18th Congress.
Atayde cited the need for legislation regarding internet transactions, as he said that there have been complaints of faulty products, fraud, and data and identity theft, among others, from customers.
“This is why Congress has to step in, to ensure that we provide an appropriate environment that both allow e-commerce to flourish while weeding out the negatives such as predatory behavior and the lack of redress for aggrieved clients,” Atayde said.
He added that his bill would “provide a framework for the regulation of internet commercial transactions, with the end-goal of promoting competition and innovation, ensuring safe and reliable digital communication, and protecting consumers.”
A key provision of the bill is the creation of an eCommerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry, which would be tasked to formulate policies and monitor compliance with the proposal.
A mechanism to settle complaints against erring merchants will also be created under Atayde’s bill.
He also touted the role that e-commerce has played during the pandemic.
He said that e-transactions have been a key service during the height of the pandemic, and its personnel have been frontliners “who have powered through various roadblocks” to deliver services and products that the people needed when their mobility was limited due to lockdowns.
“I trust that with our deliberations, and with the help of various stakeholders, we will be able to strike a proper balance between the interests of all concerned: the consumers, sellers, online platforms, and delivery partners,” Atayde said.
