By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Online safety plays a vital role in protecting the country’s netizens from unscrupulous individuals and organizations that prey on unsuspecting victims, shielding Filipinos from the downsides of digital transactions that have become commonplace in society.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is well aware of this digital dilemma that makes some individuals hesitant or skeptical about spending their hard earned money on online trade, and has taken significant strides to address this.
Among such interventions is the recent launch of the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark through a new online portal, which aims to ensure the safety and reliability of transactions in the domestic cyberspace.
The initiative will help consumers identify legitimate online merchants and assure them that they are transacting with a business that follows fair, transparent, and safe online practices. It also gives certified businesses a competitive advantage in a marketplace where reputation matters.
The E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark is a digital badge issued to online businesses that comply with fair e-commerce practices, consumer protection rules and applicable standards pursuant to Republic Act No. 11967, or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque cites this initiative as key towards building trust in the digital marketplace and upholding de facto standards imposed on brick and mortar stores across various online platforms.
The trade chief declared, “Trust is essential in the digital marketplace. Through the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark, we are empowering consumers to shop with greater confidence while encouraging businesses to follow established standards and uphold responsible online practices.”
The Trustmark shall be displayed prominently on websites, seller profiles, or product pages. For those with physical stores, the Trustmark may likewise be clearly displayed at the holder’s registered place of business.
To apply, businesses must complete the online application form at trustmark.dti.gov.ph and submit the necessary supporting documents including, but not limited to, registration certificates from the DTI, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Certificate of Registration.
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