E-Commerce Rules Expected Soon For Philippines Government Agencies

Philippines officials expect soon to release a set of implementing rules for the use of alternative electronic devices, such as mobile phones, to pay taxes and to conduct other government transactions, according to an official at the country’s Department of Trade and Industry. The rules would alleviate the need to go to a bank to make such payments. The official, who requested anonymity, says the department is finalizing the guidelines. Under the draft proposal, government agencies that have an e-payment facility could charge clients a fixed fee when using a mobile phone or other alternative-payment channel. “Once established, these rules will guide government agencies on how to accept payments from credit cards, cash cards and mobile wallets …,” the official adds. According to the official, work on these rules began in earnest in October 2008, and the department expects to finish the task in January. “A public hearing was held last week in this regard to take feedback from industry participants,” he says. “The completed set of rules, if passed, will be then issued as an administrative order by the [Department of Trade and Industry] and the Department of Finance.” The rules would take effect during the first quarter. Philippines government agencies already are supporting online transactions, though the final payments are made offline, according to a local news report.