By Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday signed the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines and the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) of 2023.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shared on its official Facebook page photos of Marcos signing the two measures into law.
The President was supposed to lead the ceremonial signing of the PPP Code and the ITA law at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday afternoon.
He, however, had to cancel the Palace event after he tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and was advised to undergo a five-day isolation.
“Instead, President Marcos signed the two landmark bills while in isolation in his residence in Bahay Pangulo,” PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. “He said the two bills show the country’s commitment and readiness to accelerate its development and to embrace the digital economy.”
Garafil said Republic Act 11966, or An Act Providing for the PPP Code of the Philippines, would establish “a stable and predictable environment for collaboration between the public and private sectors.”
The PPP Code, she said, aims to address the gaps in the infrastructure systems and also free up much-needed resources to enable the government to pursue other equally important projects and initiatives.
“The PPP Code incorporates best practices from over three decades of experience in implementing the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, ensuring that the country build better infrastructure projects and mitigate risks during their implementation,” she added.
Meanwhile, Garafil said the passage of RA 11967, or the ITA of 2023, would provide the public with the mechanisms “to confidently embrace the digital economy.”
She said it seeks to protect online consumers and merchants engaged in Internet transactions.
The new law establishes the E-Commerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry, which would spearhead the implementation of the law, as well as the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 and the Philippine E-Commerce Roadmap.
“(The ITA law) highlights the government’s efforts to not only protect consumers and merchants but also harness e-commerce as a tool for growth and development as it upholds fair business practices, fosters innovation, and institutes effective mechanisms for dispute resolution,” Garafil said.
Malacañang has yet to release a copy of the two newly signed laws.
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