Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BrLLNO._ 2985

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

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 prepare than rice.

The prevalent public consumption of instant noodles has placed it in the
ranks of basic necessities such as rice, com, 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.

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JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2985

INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

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 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;

"KX XH XXX.”

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees and orders or parts thereof
inconsistent herewith, are deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

Approved,