The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) seeks to address the wide digital divide that has left the vulnerable sectors behind the advent of internet adoption.
The DTI in a briefing paper cited the Philippine Digital Report 2020 that not every Filipino can maximize digital technologies due to slow Internet bandwidth and long-held analog practices.
This is despite the looming electronic commerce and business potential of internet transactions in the country.
The DTI also cited findings of a World Bank study that said the digital divide in the Philippines remains large ith nearly 60 percent of the households not having access to the Internet.
The DTI added the Department of Labor and Employment has also pointed out the digital divide threatens certain sectors such as tourism and transportation; wholesale and retail trade; accommodation and administrative services; information and communication; and agriculture and industry.
These sectors are the hardest-hit by the pandemic, especially with the implementation of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine measures, the DTI said, citing a study by the Plan International.
The DTI marked the Consumer Welfare Month in October with the theme Digital Consumers: The New Normal with various activities aimed at heightening the understanding of consumers on their rights and responsibilities, and exercise them for their protection.
“It is only fitting to advocate consumer rights and responsibilities even in the vast and permissible online realm. The DTI, through its Consumer Protection Group (CPG)… aim (s) to rise against the existing digital divide that has been more eminent in the new normal. It puts forward its intent to include vulnerable sectors in the country’s digital transition amidst the COVID pandemic,” the briefing paper said.
It added the DTI-CPG will maintain its momentum in supporting technological transformation and upgrades, especially in online markets and e-commerce platforms. – Irma Isip
