FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third l{egular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to institutionalize and expand the definitions of basic necessities 
and prime commodities while giving flexibility in their respective coverage to hasten 
implementation. 
With this, it is submitted that the policy declared under Republic Act No. 7581 
will be further realized. The apparent complexities in balancing availability of basic 
necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times and to ensure fair 
return of investment to legitimate businesses can be better addressed by the concerned 
implementing agencies of government given their expertise and institutional existence 
under well-established statutory standards and criteria. 
Moreover, the consumers protection envisioned to be effective and sufficient 
against hoarding, profiteering and cartels, especially during times of calamity and 
emergency is enhanced through the inclusion of other goods deemed to be necessities 
under present time, which can now be expanded administratively without need of 
legislative enactment. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this proposed measure is sought. 
4\\1£' 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


; 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
s.No.~257 
/ 
.... L 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7581, 
ENTITLED" AN ACT PROVIDING PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS BY 
ST ABILIZING THE PRICES OF BASIC NECESSITIES AND PRIME 
COMMODITIES AND BY PRESCRIBING MEASURES AGAINST UNDUE 
PRICE INCREASES DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND LIKE 
OCCASIONS" 
Be if enacled by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Section 3(1)of Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as 
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the "Price 1\ct", is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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1· 
"Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the 
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term: 
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"(1) "Basic necessities" [includes:] ARE GOODS VITAL TO 
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THE NEEDS OF CONSUMERS FOR THEIR SUSTENANCE AND 
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EXISTENCE IN TIMES OF ANY OF THE CASES PROVIDED 
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UNDER SECTIONS 6 OR 7 OF THIS ACT SUCH AS, BUT NOT 
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LIMITED TO, rice, corn, ROOT CROPS, bread; fresh, dried [and] 
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OR canned fish and other marine products[,]; fresh pork, beef and 
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poultry meat; fresh eggs; POTABLE WATER IN CONTAINERS; 
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fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables AND FRUITS; [root 
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crops;] NOODLES; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; salt; laundry soap [;] 
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AND detergents; firewood; charcoal; HOUSEHOLD LIQUEFIED 
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PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) AND KEROSENE; candles; [and] drugs 
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classified as essential by the Department of Health AND SUCH 
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OTHER GOODS AS MAY BE INCLUDED UNDER SECTION 4 
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OF THIS ACT;" 
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SEC2. Section 3(8) of Republic Act No. 7581 is hereby amended to read 
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as follows: 
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"Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -
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"xxx 


1 
"(8) "Prime commodities" [include] ARE GOODS NOT 
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CONSIDERED AS BASIC NECESSITIES BUT ARE ESSENTIAL 
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TO CONSUMERS IN TIMES OF ANY OF THE CASES 
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PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 7 OF THIS ACT SUCH AS, BUT 
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NOT LIMITED TO, [fresh fruits;] flour; dried processed [and] OR 
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canned pork[;], beef and poultry meat; dairy products not falling 
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under 
basic 
necessities[; 
noodles]; 
onions[;], 
garlic[;], 
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vinegar[;],patis[;], soy sauce; toilet soap; fertilizer[;], pesticides[;] 
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AND herbicides; poultry[;],[swine and cattle] LIVESTOCK AND 
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FISHERY feeds[;] AND veterinary products [for poultry, swine 
11 
and cattle]; paper; school supplies; nipa shingles; sawali; cement; 
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clinker; 
GI 
sheets; 
hollow 
blocks; 
plywood; 
plyboard; 
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construction nails; batteries; electrical supplies; light bulbs; steel 
H· 
wire; [and] all drugs not classified as essential drugs by the 
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Department of Health AND SUCH OTHER GOODS AS MAY BE 
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INCLUDED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THIS ACT." 
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SEC 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7581 is hereby amended to 
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read as follows: 
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"Sec. 4. INCLUSION OR Exclusion from the Coverage of 
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this Act. - Upon petition of the concerned parties OR BY 
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ACTION OF THE CONCERNED AGENCY OF THE PRICE 
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COORDINATING COUNCIL MOTU PROPRIO and after public 
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hearing, the implementing agency, with the approval of the 
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President, MAY INCLUDE IN THE DEFINITION OF BASIC 
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NECESSITIES OR PRIME COMMODITIES TYPES 
AND 
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BRANDS OF THE GOODS OR may exclude from the coverage of 
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this Act, types or brands of the goods included in the definition 
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of basic necessities and prime commodities, which may be 
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deemed as nonessential goods or luxury goods: Provided, That, 
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any type or brand so excluded may be reinstated by the 
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implementing agency during occasions of acute shortage in the 
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supply of the basic necessity or prime commodity to which the 
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excluded type or brand used to belong." 
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SEC 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of 
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Trade and Industry shall, in consultation with the members of . the Price 
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Coordinating Council and stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules, 
1·2 
regulations and procedures for the effective implementation of this Act within 
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ninety (90) days from its effectivity. It shall likewise monitor strict compliance of 
41[· 
this Act and review the existing implementing rules and regulations of Republic 
4·5 
Act No. 7581 and revise its provisions as may be appropriate. 
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SEC 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations or part thereof 
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contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
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amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC 6. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or provisions hereof not so declared shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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• 
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SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its 
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general 
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circula lion. 
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I\pproueri,