President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. signed two bills into law, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code of the Philippines and the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

In a press release posted on its official website, PCO said Marcos signed the two measures while he was in isolation in Malacañang Palace after testing positive for COVID-19.

Republic Act No. 11966 or or “An Act Providing for the Public-Private Partnership of the Philippines" aims to provide an enabling environment that will foster the growth of public and private partnerships for infrastructures and other development projects.

The following PPP may be undertaken through the contractual agreement between the implementing government agency and the private proponent:

• Build-Lease-Transfer
• Build-Own-and Operate
• Build-Operate-Transfer
• Build and Transfer
• Build-Transfer and Operate
• Contract-Add-and-Operate
• Develop-Operate-and-Transfer
• Joint Venture
• Lease Agreements
• Operate-and-Maintain
• Rehabilitate-Own-and-Operate
• Rehabilitate-Operate-and-Transfer

"Towards these ends, the State shall ensure effective regulation of commercial activities through the internet or electronic means to ensure that consumer rights and data privacy are protected, innovation is encouraged, fair advertising practices and competition are promoted, online transactions are secured, intellectual property rights are respected, and where product standards and safety are observed," the signed law reads.

It also seeks to create an E-Commerce Bureau within 6 months after the effectivity of the Act.

The E-Commerce Bureau will be under the Department of Trade and Industry, and it will be tasked to "implement, monitor, and ensure strict compliance with the provisions of this Act and the E-Commerce Act of 2000."