SINGAPORE – Riding on the momentum of the Philippines' digital transformation initiative, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual led discussions with TikTok on June 6, 2024 to strengthen existing partnerships and explore potential collaborations to support the country's innovative economy.
“Our collaboration with TikTok marks a crucial step in advancing e-commerce in the Philippines. This partnership will significantly accelerate the growth and development of our digital marketplace, benefiting businesses, consumers and the economy at large.”
“TikTok's impact in empowering local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) is undeniable, and the accelerated adoption of e-commerce by these businesses is crucial in transforming the productive sector, creating quality job opportunities, and improving the competitiveness of Philippine products on the global stage,” Secretary Pascual emphasized.
TikTok was introduced in the Philippines in May 2017, and TikTok Shops launched in April 2022. Currently, there are approximately 53 million TikTok users in the Philippines and approximately 2 million sellers on TikTok Shops.
During the meeting, the DTI commended TikTok for its generous support as a major sponsor of the first Cashless Expo, a collaboration between the DTI, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the private sector. The expo, held in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, aims to promote digital payments in the agricultural and trade sectors.
The Philippine delegation also welcomed TikTok's Safety Enforcement Tool (TSET), a platform designed to promote consumer protection, a portal built to enable authorized government and law enforcement representatives to safely request content removal and monitor its progress.
While the DTI is keen to consider implementing the TSET, it has stressed the vital importance of transparent information sharing on government reporting. With the passage of the ITA, all platforms, including TikTok, are expected to comply with the regulations outlined in the new law.
According to Secretary Pascual, the strong partnership between DTI and TikTok aims to empower small and medium-sized enterprises, uplift communities, and expand market access, especially in rural areas, as outlined in the Philippine E-Commerce 2025 Roadmap.
The two sides also discussed possible collaboration in establishing a content creator academy to nurture Filipino talent and creative spirit, paving the way for deeper digital integration in the country.
Additionally, the DTI commended TikTok for joining the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on e-commerce facilitated by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, which aims to combat online counterfeiting and piracy and promote a safer e-commerce environment for consumers and brand owners.
Additionally, the DTI Secretary expressed his appreciation for TikTok's prompt response to the Clarification Order issued by the DTI's Bureau of Fair Trade Enforcement regarding the sale of e-cigarette products. To date, TikTok has removed 570 pieces of user-generated content and 337 related products, demonstrating its commitment to complying with local laws and regulations.
“We encourage TikTok to continue to comply with relevant local laws and regulations. The Philippine government task force investigating the issues surrounding TikTok will remain impartial and provide the platform an opportunity to address and clarify our concerns,” Pascual said.
TikTok has been an active partner with the Philippine government in shaping the future of e-commerce in the country, providing valuable insights and participating in discussions on the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) and the upcoming E-Commerce Roadmap 2025. public relations
