BBM, as in...read first

The Philippines emerges as the fastest-growing internet economy in Southeast Asia, according to the international survey and study done by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company.

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

While this is "an affirmation of the country's digital transformation," the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned though online scammers and other cybercriminals tagged along to profit from their illegal, nefarious trade.

Unfortunately, this robust growth of electronic or e-commerce in the Philippines also bears upon unsuspecting Filipino consumers, many of whom fall victims to online scams. This is why the DTI is at the forefront of ensuring the protection and instilling responsibility in both consumers as well as merchants in the e-commerce ecosystem, DTI Undersecretary Mary Jane Pacheco reassured the public at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum last Wednesday.

Pacheco cited the DTI has been empowered and, in fact, is mandated to do so under Republic Act (RA) 11967, otherwise known as the Internet Transactions Act (ITA). RA 11967 declared: "The State aims to promote and maintain a robust electronic commerce ("e-commerce") environment by building trust between online merchants and online consumers." Pacheco supervises the newly created e-commerce bureau at the DTI as established by RA 11967.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM) signed ITA into law on Dec. 5 last year. It was only in May 30 this year that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ITA were published and promulgated. Pacheco noted with optimism that the e-market players, which include social media platforms, are currently in the process of complying with the ITA requirements.