As the economy shifts rapidly toward digital and data-driven markets, the government is strengthening competition policy to ensure fair pricing, wider access to services, and inclusive growth, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).
Speaking at the 2026 Manila Forum on Competition in Developing Countries on Monday, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan underscored the importance of proactive government interventions to enforce competition policy amid the acceleration in the development of new and disruptive technologies.
“This is why policy and institutions matter. Experience across countries suggests that competition policy, when well implemented and sustained, can form part of a broader reform agenda associated with stronger economic performance over time,” he said.
With major shifts in the market brought about by digital transformation, Balisacan acknowledged that the country’s competition landscape still has room for improvement.
“As more transactions and services move online, the quality of competition in digital-facing markets will increasingly shape productivity, inclusion, and consumer welfare,” the country’s chief economist said.
Balisacan cited the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act as a landmark reform aimed at improving the telecommunications industry.
The law seeks to provide access to reliable and affordable connectivity nationwide, particularly in underserved areas. It also improves investment conditions and promotes competition in connectivity services, enabling broader participation in the digital economy.
Having served as the inaugural chairperson of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) from 2016 to 2022, Balisacan also reflected on the conditions leading to the establishment of the PCC, emphasizing that while the Philippine economy displayed strong macroeconomic performance in the last two decades, anticompetitive practices prevented economic growth from reaching a higher trajectory.
“While poverty did decline, persistent barriers to competition remained. Part of the explanation lies in the weak state of competition in industries and sectors that matter most to the poor. In response, the Philippine Competition Act was enacted after decades of legislative effort, reflecting a clear recognition that vibrant competition is essential to a more dynamic economy and more inclusive growth,” he said.
Under Republic Act 10667, the PCC was created to ensure that competition law and policy are real and relevant to everyday economic life. It spearheaded the implementation of pro-competitive measures, including the adoption of the National Competition Policy, which seeks to promote pro-competitive reforms across government and integrates competition policy into the national development agenda.
Themed “Institutionalizing Antitrust: Legal and Economic Reflections on Competition Enforcement in the Digital Age,” the 2026 Manila Forum is the PCC’s flagship platform for dialogue among competition authorities, regulators, industry experts, policymakers, and the academe to discuss effective competition policies that seek to address the complexities of digital markets while advancing inclusive growth and sustained innovation. (PNA)
