FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. G G 9 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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, 
emergency, 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 prepar~ 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. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. {) G 9 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TREATING LOCALLY MANUFACTURED INSTANT NOODLES AS BASIC 
NECESSITY, AMENDING FOR HIE 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 assembled: 
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; 
"x x x xxx x x x." 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees and orders or parts thereof 
inconsistent herewith, are deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
Approved, 
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