The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the 2021 National Survey on the Awareness of Private Firms on the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) and the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

The survey aims to determine the awareness of private firms on the PCC, its mandate, and the PCA. Results of the survey will guide the PCC in assessing the impact of their advocacy efforts, which will serve as input in the design of future programs to raise the stakeholders’ awareness of the PCA and the PCC. The survey results will also allow the agency to strategically target areas and audiences for advocacy program and activities by identifying the groups and areas where awareness and knowledge about the PCA are still low, as well as providing insights on how to reach these areas.

Major data items to be collected in the survey include the following:

a. Number of employees, position, duration of employment, awareness, industry classification of the enterprise, awareness, and functions of government entities;
b. Source of awareness on PCC, awareness of PCC responsibilities and functions, and awareness on PCC head; and
c. Awareness on anti-competitive laws, PCA, scope of work, and sources of local news.

A total of 1,806 establishments will be interviewed for this survey with a total budget amounting to PhP 5.83 million. The survey will be conducted in June 2021 and results are expected to be released in August 2021.

Meanwhile, key results of the 2020 National Survey on the Awareness of Private Firms on the PCA and the PCC showed that:

a. Only 24.0 percent of the sample private firms in the country were aware of the mandate of the PCC. Among the major island groups, Visayas posted the highest awareness level at 30.0 percent, followed by Luzon and National Capital Region (NCR) at 26.0 percent and 25.0 percent, respectively. Mindanao recorded the lowest awareness level at 15.0 percent.
b. Lack of awareness on the PCA was likewise noted across private firms, with only 14.0 percent of the private firms were aware of the PCA. Visayas had the highest percentage at 29.0 percent, and Mindanao recorded the lowest with 18.0 percent.

This survey was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

a. ensure sound design for data collection;
b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
c. effect economy in statistical data collection;
d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the public to support and participate in the survey by providing the information needed.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 or (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.