Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 916 
Introduced by Hon. Bernadette S. Barbers 
AN ACT 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10623, BY INCLUDING 
SELECTED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TO BASIC NECESSITIES, NAMELY: GI SHEETS, 
CONSTRUCTION NAILS, STEEL BARS, HOLLOW BLOCKS, PLYWOOD, AND CEMENT 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to amend certain provisions of Republic Act No. 10623, otherwise known as 
“An act amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, entitled, “An act providing protection 
to consumers by stabilizing the prices of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities and by 
prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and like 
occasions” and for other purposes” by including selected construction materials to Basic 
Necessities, Namely: GI sheets, construction nails, steel bars, hollow blocks, plywood, and 
cement. 
Considering the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette that struck Surigao del Norte and 
Dinagat Islands last December 16, 2021 was a nightmare for the people. Almost 100% lost their 
houses and even lost some of their families. Consumers struggled for survival as their sources of 
livelihood were devastated. Inevitably, prices of some construction materials skyrocketed because 
the demand is high while the supply is low and could not be controlled. 
Consequently, high prices of commodities especially construction materials needed for 
rehabilitation of houses add to consumers’ burden while facing the traumatic experience brought 
by the calamity. If these selected construction materials will be included to basic necessities, all 
business establishments with construction supplies that are regularly monitored or not monitored 
by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte will be forewarned not to increase 
such products because this will be automatically frozen during state of calamity, thus protecting all 
consumers which are affected by the typhoon or any fortuitous events. 
Thus, there is a pressing need to amend R.A. 10623, to include selected construction 
materials to Basic Necessities, namely: GI sheets, construction nails, steel bars, hollow blocks, 
plywood, and cement, to ensure consumer protection against illegal acts of price manipulation 
specifically profiteering; ensure that prices are reasonable while promoting fair return of 
investment; protect the consumers’ right of basic needs for survival in times of calamity; and create 
a conducive environment for consumers in getting the value for their hard-earned money. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. BERNADETTE S. BARBERS 
2nd District Surigao del Norte 
July 1, 2025
3:04 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 916 
Introduced by Hon. Bernadette S. Barbers 
AN ACT 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10623, BY 
INCLUDING SELECTED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TO BASIC NECESSITIES, 
NAMELY: GI SHEETS, CONSTRUCTION NAILS, STEEL BARS, HOLLOW 
BLOCKS, PLYWOOD, AND CEMENT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 10623, otherwise known as “An act 
amending certain provisions of Republic Act No. 7581, entitled, “An act providing 
protection to consumers by stabilizing the prices of Basic Necessities and Prime 
Commodities and by prescribing measures against undue price increases during 
emergency situations and like occasions” and for other purposes,” is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
“Sec. 3 (1). Definition of Terms. – For Purposes of this act, the term: 
“(1) ‘Basic necessities’ are goods vital to the needs of consumers for their 
sustenance and existence in times of any of the cases provided under 
Section 6 or 7 of this Act such as, but not limited to, rice, corn, root crops, 
bread; fresh, dried or canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, 
beef and poultry meat; fresh eggs; potable water in bottles and containers; 
fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables and fruits; locally manufactured 
instant noodles; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap and 
detergents; firewood; charcoal; household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) 
and kerosene; candles; drugs classified as essential by the Department of 
Health; GI sheets, construction nails, steel bars, hollow blocks, plywood, 
cement; and such other goods as may be included under Section 4 of this 
Act; 
SEC. 2. Section 3(8) of Republic Act No. 10623 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Sec. 3 (8). Definition of Terms – 
“(8) ‘Prime Commodities’ are goods not considered as basic necessities but 
are essential to consumers in times of any of the cases provided under Section 
7 of this Act such as, but not limited to, flour; dried, processed or canned pork, 
beef and poultry meat; dairy products not falling under basic necessities; 
onions, garlic, vinegar, patis, soy sauce; toilet soap; fertilizer, pesticides and 


 
herbicides; poultry, livestock and fishery feeds and veterinary products; paper; 
school supplies; nipa shingles; sawali; clinker; plyboard; batteries; electrical 
supplies; light bulbs; steel wire; all drugs not classified as essential drugs by 
the Department of Health and such other goods as may be included under 
Section 4 of this Act.” 
 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,