DTI retracts plan to require permit when running online ads and promos

Earlier this week, the Deepartment of Trade and Industry has released a proposal to require MSME and online sellers to apply for DTI permit before running online ads and promos.

The Department Order outlines the following:

1) All ad needs a DTI Advertising Permit before it goes live.
2) Minimum 30 days lead time for application.
3) Permit fees starts at Php 975 to Php 9,295.
4) Every approved ad must specify “Per DTI Permit No. XXX”

This was met with a lot of opposition and DTI eventually removed the posts on their FB page and replaced this with a retraction below:

PUBLIC ADVISORY:

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) clarifies that it is not pursuing, implementing, or adopting the drafted Department Administrative Order (DAO) concerning a pre-clearance regulatory regime for advertising materials. The DTI assures the public and the business community that this internal draft does not reflect current policy direction and will not be finalized or enforced. We remain a committed partner in economic growth, ensuring consumer protection is balanced with innovation and competitive business environment.