Creating pro-consumer institutional frameworks in the Philippines
An ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme research report.
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This independent study was commissioned by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) from the Centre for Strategy and Evaluation Services. It was funded by UK International Development.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967, bringing together 10 member countries. In July 2023, the UK announced a new £25 million ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Programme. This seeks to harness opportunities from the digital economy with a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment and small business development. It is built on three pillars. One of these is the Regulatory Reform (RR) Pillar, aimed at ensuring that businesses and consumers are protected by clear regulation and standards.
OPSS is the implementing partner for the RR Pillar. The purpose of this study was to bridge the gap between ASEAN consumer protection commitments and national level reforms in the Philippines. Its primary focus was to analyse existing frameworks, identify best practices, and provide policy recommendations to enhance consumer protection mechanisms. The approach included a literature review, stakeholder consultation, and the development of case studies. A toolkit was also produced to provide a practical guide on how the research recommendations can be effectively implemented by government agencies and consumer organisations.