PRESS RELEASE
11 November 2024

PCC equips gov’t agencies for pro-competitive policymaking

To foster pro-competitive government policies, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has conducted the “Mainstreaming Competition Impact Assessment for Pro-Competitive Government Policies” workshop, which aims to equip government agencies with the tools necessary for conducting Competition Impact Assessments (CIAs).

During the two-day workshop held on October 16-17, participants received comprehensive training in the principles of competition assessment and the actual conduct of a CIA. They performed preliminary analysis of chosen policies in four sectors: food and agriculture, trade and industry, health and pharmaceuticals, and water.

The CIA is a framework utilized by the PCC to help policymakers identify and assess existing laws, regulations, and proposed measures that may potentially restrict or harm competition, and provide alternative policy options.

In his opening remarks, PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo emphasized the importance of CIAs in ensuring that government policies are both pro-competitive and pro-people.

“Even the most well-intentioned regulations and policies can sometimes lead to unintended consequences that hinder competition, cause market distortions, and ultimately harm market outcomes—resulting in higher prices, less options for consumers, and less competition overall. This is where the crucial role of competition impact assessments, or CIAs, comes into play,” he said.

The conduct of CIAs has been institutionalized under the National Competition Policy and is also part of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) framework mandated under the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act. As explained by Director Marbida L. Marbida of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), RIAs ensure that new government policies minimize unnecessary burdens on citizens. This aligns with the goals outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which recognizes the importance of institutionalizing the use of CIAs to minimize restrictive government policies.

Workshop participants came from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs, Fiscal Incentives Review Board, Laguna Lake Development Authority, Local Water Utilities Administration, National Water Resources Board, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, and Tariff Commission.

This workshop is a joint project of the PCC Economics Office and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), with the support of the Asian Development Bank through the Capacity Building to Foster Competition Project.

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REFERENCE:
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph
PCC Public Affairs and Research Division

Link: https://www.phcc.gov.ph/press-releases/pcc-equips-govt-agencies-for-pro-competitive-policymaking/