READ COPY OF PHILIPPINE E-COMMERCE BILL

"KISS the e-commerce bill goodbye if we don't make it by July.''

This was the sing-song yet dire prediction of presidential adviser for Information Technology and Communications Jovencio "Chito" Kintanar when asked about the repercussions of a delay in the passage of the e-commerce-bill.

Kintanar sounded off this alarm during the launch of E-Store Exchange.com, a Filipino-owned virtual mall.

"This is my worry about the e-commerce bill-that the window of opportunity will only be open until July. People forget that after July, Congress will be talking about the budget, and then next year, it will be election time. If we cannot make it this July in the Lower House, God knows when we will have an e-commerce bill. So it's very critical that we come up with an IT plan,'' said Kintanar.

Kintanar said the country stands to lose its chance of having a legal framework that is needed for more secure e-commerce in the country. The passage of the e-commerce bill in Congress would address important issues such as legal recognition of electronic documents, digital signatures and enforcement of obligations under an electronic contract.

As e-commerce advocates have explained, the law is set to provide a more secure legal environment for the accelerated growth of e-commerce. Meanwhile, the use of electronic means of communication in international trade transactions has been increasing exponentially.

However, despite the rapid spread of e-commerce worldwide, and even though Malacañang announced it as a priority bill, the e-commerce bill has remained as such-just another a bill.

Meanwhile, Congress seems to have shifted its focus on yet another bill-HB 6863 or the Road Users' Tax-while the e-commerce bill's priority status remains a paper order.

In the meantime, a meeting between the private sector and the government is scheduled to take place today at the Fort in Makati City. Initiated by the private sector, the meeting will be composed of several sub-committees in preparation for a day-long conference on April 13 that aims to produce the first draft of a country strategy to be called an "Internet Strategy for Philippines.com (ISP.com).''

ISP.Com will serve as a "roadmap,'' or a blueprint for government agencies and private sectors. It will be spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry. The ISP.com strategic factors will include:

o Physical infrastructure and technology

o Training and manpower development

o Legal infrastructure,

o Financial infrastructure

o Niche and

o Communications plan

DTI secretary Mar Roxas, according to Kintanar, has "decided to consolidate all government efforts at formulating and promoting ISP.Com.'' This is through an expanded version of the E-commerce Promotion Council.

Today's meeting is also expected to raise issues from different associations such as the Philippine Cable TV Association, telecommunications user groups, Philippine Internet Commerce Society, the Philippine Electronics and Telecommunications Federation and other invited representatives from the private sector. Also expected to attend are representatives from 14 major groups and representatives of the National Economic Development Authority, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippine Internet Service Organization, Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies and Philippine Internet Commerce Society.

"This is happening with the least amount of intervention from the executive department. It shows that there is initiative within the private sector. It also shows e-commerce is really moving,'' said Kintanar.