Leyte 4th District Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez is pushing for the creation of an online market platform for Filipino creative arts, products, and services to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
House Bill No. 8064, or the Online Pinoy Creative Act, seeks to rapidly create a simple online market that is standardized and easy to follow so Filipino crafters, artisans, artists, musicians filmmakers, wellness providers, instructors, chefs, to name a few, could get back to what they do best, the solon said in a statement issued Tuesday.
“We simply want to give them an online venue to meet customers, conduct the sale, accept payment, and deliver either physical goods, digital products, such as written documents or images, live stream events, taped film and video or live meetings and classes. As an added feature, this platform must be easily accessible via smart phone, with internet access already built in,” Torres-Gomez said.
The proposed law directs the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to create the platform and provide funding.
The model-turned-politician said the creative industry and economy is one of the hardest hit during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic because the conduct of business, more often than not, required physical contact and interaction.
Performers need a live audience, filmgoers need the theatres to open, artisans need retail stores, and pop-up markets and instructors need to hold classes.
Although there are many ways to assist the industry in this time of crisis, the quickest and most effective way to give them support is to give them back their sales venue –online, Torres-Gomez said.
“This digital platform could be easily procured and customized by the DTI in a short amount of time. Many Filipino families are relying on targeted and function-specific support to them (to) survive this pandemic. I hope we can deliver,” she added.
Among the bill’s objectives are to rapidly create a free online market and digital distribution network for MSMEs engaged in Filipino creative products and services; provide digital stage for Filipino performing artists to sell live events or stream taped concerts, shows and films; provide a means of supplemental or alternative income source for Filipinos who have been economically disadvantaged by the Covid-19 pandemic; and encourage Filipinos locally and abroad to buy from Filipino crafters, artisans and makers, artists and service providers.
Under the proposed law, the DTI is expected to provide web store services and facilities to account holders to conduct business for free and provide guidance and online assistance in using the online market to potential sellers and buyers.
The proposed bill, which is still up for the first reading, also mandates the DTI to create an internet-based platform that has the capacity to allow Filipino MSMEs crafters, makers, artists, artisans, performers, and service providers to create a free account for the purpose of conducting business; and provide a standard store format for account holders “selling physical products.” (PNA)
