Manila: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced an extension of the deadline for registration for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, moving it from September 30 to December 31. This extension aims to provide more opportunities for small businesses to acquire the Trustmark badge.
According to Philippines News Agency, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque emphasized that the Trustmark is not a regulatory burden but a protective tool for legitimate businesses against scammers that erode consumer trust. The initiative is designed to help consumers easily identify and trust legitimate sellers, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on expanding their businesses.
In a briefing, Roque noted that major players like TikTok, Lazada, and Shopee have already acquired their badges, and more are expected to do so as the deadline approaches. She stated that some businesses tend to delay registration, hoping for policy reversals, but the DTI remains committed to the Trustmark's implementation.
As of September 19, DTI E-Commerce Bureau Officer-in-Charge Eryl Royce Nagtalon reported that 10,057 businesses have applied for the Trustmark. With an estimated 1.2 to 1.3 million registered micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, less than half are currently on online platforms. While around 500,000 MSMEs have transitioned to e-commerce, this number could increase to approximately 900,000, as many businesses sell on multiple online platforms.
Nagtalon expressed optimism that all registered MSMEs will eventually register for the Trustmark, which he believes will promote a healthy competitive e-commerce environment.
The Trustmark registration is mandated by Republic Act 11967, known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, and the DTI's Department Administrative Order 25-07. The registration process includes fees: a PHP1,000 annual application fee, a PHP100 web administration fee, and a PHP30 documentary stamp tax. However, businesses registered under DTI's Barangay Micro Business Enterprise are exempt from the application and web administration fees in the first year.
DTI Assistant Secretary Marcus Valdez II highlighted the expectation that MSMEs will grow and graduate to larger entities after the first year. If they remain in the micro or small sector, he suggested that the DTI, through its Negosyo Centers, will need to enhance efforts to promote and support these businesses' growth.
