PRESS RELEASE 
2 June 2022

PCC opens investigation station in South Luzon

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is expanding its reach in regional areas as it launches its investigation station (i-Station) in South Luzon.

Following the operationalization of its inaugural i-Station in North Luzon (Baguio City) last year, the competition authority is now opening another hub at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office in Legazpi City. The i-Station will serve as temporary workstation for PCC staff until it opens a permanent regional office.

After Legazpi City, the PCC is targeting to open two more i-Stations in the third quarter of the year in the Visayas (Cebu City) and in Mindanao (Davao City).

The establishment of i-Stations is a response to the growing need for stronger competition law enforcement and advocacy in regional areas. The operation of these hubs will not only facilitate the ease of conduct of investigations, but also better coordination with regional government agencies and more effective handling of complaints and queries.

The selection of Legazpi City as one of the locations is strategically aligned with the ongoing cases and queries handled by the PCC. As in the North Luzon hub, PCC tapped local personnel for efficiency and better grasp of the local communities’ competition concerns.

“Boosting our operations in Bicol through the Legazpi i-Station will increase competition law enforcement presence and facilitate stronger interactions with the local communities. This satellite office will allow us to directly connect with our regional stakeholders and partners in government,” PCC Chairperson Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

“We look forward to working closely with the NEDA Regional Office in Legazpi City in operationalizing the strategic initiatives drawn from the National Competition Policy and in enabling pro-competition policies in the region,” Balisacan added.

To further its advocacy activities in South Luzon, PCC will also hold a Multisectoral Forum in Legazpi City following the launch of the i-Station. The event will gather local businesses, consumer groups, and other stakeholders to discuss competition law enforcement and the National Competition Policy.

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Link: https://www.phcc.gov.ph/press-releases/i-stationlegazpilaunch/