Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo._ 4291

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT

AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES” BY IMPOSING STIFFER
PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSON, NATURAL OR JURIDICAL, WHO OFFERS
TO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, ADULTERATED MEAT
PRODUCTIS OF A DISEASED ANIMAL OR AN ANIMAL WHICH HAS DIED
OTHER THAN BY SLAUGHTER, OTHERWISE TERMED AS “DOUBLE DEAD
MEAT”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The protection of public health is the primary duty of the State. It is the
mandate of the State to protect and promote the well being of its citizens
Towards this end, it is the primordial duty of the State to protect the interests of
consumers, promote their general welfare and establish standards of conduct for
business and industry.

Article 23 of Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the "Consumer
Act of the Philippines", specifically provides that food shall be deemed to be
adulterated if it is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or of an
animal which has died other than by slaughter. Furthermore, Art. 41 of the same
Act provides that any person who sells double dead meat shall, upon conviction,
be subject to imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than five
(5) years, or a fine of not less than F'ze Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) but not
more than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00), or both such imprisonment and
fine, upon the discretion of the Court.


However, despite the existence of a law that prohibits and penalizes the
selling of double dead meat, the proliferation of double dead meat in the market
remains unabated.

According to the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), last May 2008,
about three (3) tons of pork and 63 kilos of buffalo meat were being sold by
around 10 stalls outside the market for about P80-P90 per kilo, Moreover, last
November 5, 2008, health officials reported that at least one villager died and 53
others became ill after eating "double dead" meat during a wake in the remote
upland town of Suyo in locos province.

Consumers are especially attracted to buy double dead meat because of
its relatively low price. This type of meat is widely considered to be harmful to
consumers’ health since the animals most likely died from various illnesses
before being butchered and sold. This meat has a grayish tint to it which clearly
indicates that blood had spread throughout the animal's flesh for not having
undergone the normal slaughter procedures. The continued proliferation of “hot
or double-dead meat” deemed unfit for human consumption in various markets
pose a health hazard to unsuspecting consumers.

As such, there is an urgent need to enact legislative intervention that will
increase the penalty for persons, natural or juridical, found selling or distributing
double dead meat in order to protect the health and welfare of the general public.

In view of the foregoing, early pe .sage of this bill is earnestly sought.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur econd District, Pampanga


Repubiic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Rec ular Session

House Bill No. 4291

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARRCYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT

AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES” BY !MPOSING STIFFER
PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSON, NATURAL OR JURIDICAL, WHO OFFERS.
TO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE, IN WHCE OR IN PART, ADULTERATED MEAT
PRODUCT/S OF A DISEASED ANIMAL OR AN ANIMAL WHICH HAS DIED
OTHER THAN BY SLAUGHTER, OTHERWISE TERMED AS “DOUBLE DEAD
MEAT”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Consumer
Protection from Adulterated Meat Act of 2011”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to protect and promote the right to health of the people. it is the policy of
the State to protect the interests of the consumer, promote his general welfare
and to establish standards of conduc: for business and industry. Towards this
end, the State shall protect and safeguard the people from adulterated meat
products harmful to the health of the general public and protect them against
deceptive and unconscionable sales practices.

SECTION 3. Art. 40. of Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the
“Consumer Act of the Philippines”, is hereby amended in part to read as follows:


“Art. 41. Penalties. - (a) Any person who violates any of the
provisions of Article 40 hereof shall, upon conviction, be subject to
imprisonment of not iess than [one (1)] TWO (2) year but not more than
[five (5)] SIX (6) years, or a fine of not less than [Five] TEN thousand
pesos [(P5,000.00)} (P10,000.00) but not more than [Ten] ONE
HUNDRED thousand pesos [(P10,000.00)] (P100,000.00), or both such
imprisonment and fine, in the discretion of the Court."

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this act is hereby
repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,