The Philippines should not attempt to rush into joining the global digital race without ensuring that the proper framework has been established and is actually feasible or else, the country may only find itself at the tail of the competition. Coordination is necessary in order to avoid installing a bureaucracy that could only choke e-commerce. In this tone, Roxas said the government should have minimum intervention in the policy formulation on e-commerce.
New technologies continue to shape business directions and flows.
Restrictions may only result in prospective businesses dumping the Philippines in favor of other more competitive markets. Roxas also lauded the efforts of the private sector whose initiative prompted economic managers and legislators to finally recognize the need for the country to immerse itself in the emerging concept of e-commerce. The e-commerce bill, authored by Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Vicente Sotto III, Juan Flavier, Blas Ople and Rep. Leandro Verceles Jr., is expected to get the nod of both the House and Senate by first quarter of the year. The bill provides the legal framework for Filipino to participate in e-commerce transactions. Among its features include the use of electronic signature in business transactions and adoption of encryption methods to safeguard said kind of transactions.