FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to include locally manufactured instant noodles in the definition of 
“basic necessities” for the purpose of providing them the protection accorded under the Price 
Act against undue price increases during calamity, eniergency, widespread illegal price 
manipulation and other similar situations. 
Instant noodles was first introduced in Japan in the 1950s and is now being produced 
in over 80 countries worldwide. In the Philippines, as in neighboring countries, the demand 
for noodles continues to be on the rise. Based on available data, the consumption of instant 
noodles in the Philippines has risen steadily since 1995, reaching in the year 2000 a per 
capita annual consumption of 0.506 kgs. (per person per annum) and total household 
expenditure of P6 billion, with a sustained growth rate estimated at 16% per annum. Instant 
noodles has indeed become the new staple of many poor Filipinos. This increase in 
popularity of instant noodles can be due to the fact that it is cheaper and easier to prepare 
than rice. 
The prevalent public consumption of instant noodles has placed it in the ranks of 
basic necessities such as rice, corn, bread, fish, pork, bee, poultry, etc. During relief 
operations in times of calamities and emergencies, instant noodles is one of the basic goods 
distributed. Undeniably, instant noodles plays an important role in the lives of Filipinos. 
At present, however, instant noodles is not accorded the protection which other 
goods classified as “basic necessities” enjoy. While noodles is considered as prime commodity 
under the Price Act, it is not covered by the automatic price control provision of the said law 
which applied only to prices of basic necessities. With the significant reliance of the Filipino 
people on instant noodles for their day-to-day subsistence, it is imperative that its price be 
subject to automatic freezing in areas affected by calamities, emergencies, etc., and be subject 
to a ceiling when its prevailing price is excessive or unreasonable. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. No. 
I183 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR ROUS 
AN ACT 
TREATING LOCALLY MANUFACTURED INSTANT NOODLES AS BASIC NECESSITY, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 3 SUBPARAGRAPH (1) OF REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 7581, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PRICE ACT.” 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 3 (1) of Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the “price 
Act, ”is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
”( 1) 
“Basic necessities” includes: rice; corn; bread; fresh, dried and 
canned fish and other marine products, fresh pork, beef and poultry meal; 
fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; LOCALLY MANUFACTURED INSTANT 
NOODLES; fresh vegetables; root crops; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry 
soap; detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and drugs classified as essential 
by the Department of Health; 
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“x x x 
xxx 
x x x.” 
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SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees and orders or parts thereof inconsistent 
herewith, are deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
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