The “new normal” is expected to see a significant significant shift to e-commerce to boost the economy as the threat of COVID-19 still lingers in the country.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez made similar pronouncements, recognizing the importance and proliferation of e-commerce and the digitalization of trade and services even as the Bureau of Internal Revenue has urged online traders to register their businesses for tax purposes.
“Consumers have adapted to new business practices right now. We are further exploring digitalization which has boosted the delivery services and online purchase of products, food and other basic needs,” Andanar said in Filipino.
Lopez expressed the government’s support on the use of the digital platform for trade and businesses.
“We are supportive of these businesses so that they can shift to digital platform,” Lopez said.
The Department of Trade and Industry has also launched a project, “Making Your Business Digital” which encourages the use of digital platform.
Lopez emphasized the need for everybody to adapt to the new normal and observe health protocols all the time.
“So there is really a need that we start to reopen gradually and the most important thing, we can simultaneously look at health protection and opening of the economy, number one is minimum health protocol which should be followed in all businesses, including malls and commercial establishments. So that as we reopen the economy, everybody will still be safe,” Lopez added.
