The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) conducted a workshop aimed at equipping government agencies with the tools and knowledge needed to conduct competition impact assessments (CIAs).
The two-day workshop from Oct. 16 to 17 provided participants with comprehensive training on the principles of competition assessment and the practical application of CIAs.
“Even well-intentioned policies can sometimes have unintended consequences that harm competition. CIAs help us identify and mitigate these risks, ensuring that our policies are both pro-competitive and pro-people,” said PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo.
CIAs are a crucial tool for policymakers to assess the potential impact of proposed laws and regulations on competition.
By identifying and addressing anti-competitive provisions, CIAs can help to promote a more competitive market, leading to lower prices, increased choice, and higher quality products and services for consumers.
The training is in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which prioritizes the institutionalization of CIAs to minimize restrictive government policies.
The workshop was a joint initiative of the PCC Economics Office, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), with the support of the Asian Development Bank.
