To address the low awareness on competition policies at the local level, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), in collaboration with the Region 02 offices of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), held a Virtual Regional Roadshow on Competition Law and Policy on August 11, 2021.  The activity aimed to promote awareness and understanding of the principles of the Philippine Competition Act or RA 10667 in the public and private sectors.

The region has to work more to improve its competitiveness. This was emphasized by NEDA Regional Director Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr. in his discussion of the region’s competitiveness ranking and gaps as detailed in Chapter 16 of the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan.

RD Ledres recommended several interventions that the region needs to focus on in support of the National Competition Policy. These include enhancement of competitiveness of the agriculture sector, broadening of LGUs’ role in regulating competition, improvement in the public procurement process, and reduction of monopolistic competition practices. RD Ledres added that in achieving greater market competition, the region will work towards promoting innovation in the workplace, increase productivity, and improve consumer welfare.

In response, PCC Executive Director Dr. Kenneth V. Tanate acknowledged the role of NEDA RO2 in improving consumer welfare and market efficiency.  “We hope to have closer coordination with the NEDA Region 02 in facilitating the coordination with other government agencies in the region during the full implementation of NEDA-PCC Joint Memorandum Circular on National Competition Policies”, he added.

The Roadshow was joined by around 150 participants from coming from local governments, regional line agencies, academe,  private sector and members of the Regional Development Council (RDC2).