MANILA – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has urged Congress to immediately pass the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) that will protect consumers in their transactions online.
In a statement Tuesday, the DTI said the speedy passage of the ITA is important amid the increasing complaints and fraud reports that the agency receives involving electronic commerce and online transactions.
According to the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB), 44 percent of the 27,947 complaints its office received in 2022 were online transactions. This is equivalent to 12,170 complaints.
Among the FTEB reports related to online transactions include online scams, fake identities that appear as legitimate merchants, unregistered sales promotions, malicious online shopping sites, and pyramiding.
“Of the 12,170 complaints, 2,484 were resolved, 9,093 were referred to the appropriate agencies, 394 were withdrawn, and the remaining 199 complainants were issued Certificates to File Action,” the DTI said.
The DTI said it coordinates with the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and other concerned agencies to combat online fraud.
“We need the ITA law passed. We hope its enactment can be fast tracked,” DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said.
When passed and enacted into law, the ITA will enable mechanisms, such as the Online Business Registry and eCommerce Philippines Trustmark, to safeguard consumers and merchants in online transactions as well as to build trust among stakeholders in the online space.
The ITA also proposes that those who are doing e-commerce that are tapping the local market will be considered to be conducting business in the Philippines and shall adhere to all laws and regulations in the country.
The ITA also seeks to create an eCommerce Bureau under the DTI that will implement the provisions of the ITA.
Early this month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. tagged the proposed ITA as urgent.
The lower house approved its version in December 2022, while the Senate Bill 1846 is still pending on second reading.
While the ITA is still pending with the lawmakers, Castelo urged consumers to be cautious in their online transactions.
“Before making a purchase, you should select merchants carefully and confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number. This will help DTI in clamping down on scammers in the online platform. Consumers must also review the return policy of the store,” Castelo added.
She urged consumers to also read reviews posted by other buyers and keep a record of the transactions done online. (PNA)
