Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 81)
The purpose of Executive Order No. 81 is to further amend Executive Order No. 475 dated October 5, 1951, by reducing and setting new ceiling prices for certain foodstuffs, particularly rice, under the authority granted by Republic Act No. 1168 to control prices of commodities in short supply.
The prices of various kinds of rice were specifically amended: Macan 2nd Class, Macan 1st Class, Elon-Elon or Raminad, and Wag-Wag rice.
The wholesale price is set at P0.80 per ganta, and the retail price is set at P0.85 per ganta.
The order took effect on January 1, 1955.
A 'ganta' is a unit of measurement used in the Philippines for commodities like rice, traditionally around 1.5 kilograms, used for selling prices in this context.
The General Manager and the Board of Directors of the Price Stabilization Corporation recommended the amendment.
Section 4 of Republic Act No. 1168 authorizes the President to fix maximum selling prices of commodities in short supply and to control prices through executive orders or other means.
The repeated amendments reflect the government's ongoing effort to regulate and stabilize prices of essential commodities like rice to protect consumers during shortages or market fluctuations.