A growing wave of frustration is sweeping through the ranks of Filipino online sellers, as increasingly complex government regulations threaten to stifle their businesses. While facing fierce competition from overseas, these micro-entrepreneurs are finding themselves burdened by rules that seem to hinder growth rather than foster it.
The Online Negosyo Empowerment Community, representing a significant number of these sellers, is urgently calling for a more supportive regulatory environment. They argue that a thriving business sector is essential for job creation and tax revenue, and current policies are pushing small sellers towards closure.
One particular point of contention is the Department of Trade and Industry’s E-commerce Trustmark. The group believes this initiative is unnecessarily duplicative, overlapping with existing consumer protection laws, product standards, and platform verification processes already in place.
Instead of making the trustmark mandatory, ONEC advocates for a permanently voluntary system, driven by the private sector. They emphasize the need for the government to focus on rigorously enforcing existing regulations, rather than adding layers of bureaucratic complexity that many small sellers simply cannot navigate.
The core issue isn’t a lack of regulation, but a lack of effective enforcement against fraudulent sellers who manage to operate even with existing business permits. This allows dishonest actors to thrive on major platforms, undermining legitimate businesses and eroding consumer trust.
Adding to the financial strain, major online platforms are imposing new fees on sellers – currently ₱5 per transaction – ostensibly to fund platform improvements. For micro-sellers already grappling with rising costs and inflation, these charges are proving unsustainable.
ONEC is demanding full transparency regarding these fees and urging platforms to reconsider, ideally reducing them to below ₱1. The cumulative effect of these charges, alongside processing fees and promotional costs, is squeezing profit margins and jeopardizing livelihoods.
The situation is further complicated by the ease with which foreign sellers, particularly from China, can access the Philippine market. This creates an uneven playing field, making it incredibly difficult for local sellers to compete on price and maintain their businesses.
The question facing Filipino online sellers isn’t simply about navigating regulations, but about survival. They are seeking a level playing field, a supportive government, and a fair chance to contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
The future of these small businesses, and the jobs they create, hangs in the balance, dependent on a shift towards policies that empower rather than encumber.
