Question & AnswerQ&A (DTI, DA, DOH, DENR JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1 s. 1993)
The primary policy is to ensure the availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times while allowing legitimate businesses a fair return on investment.
Persons include both natural persons and juridical persons.
- Department of Agriculture (agricultural crops, fish, fresh meat, dairy, farm inputs) - Department of Health (drugs) - Department of Environment and Natural Resources (wood and forest products) - Department of Trade and Industry (all other basic necessities and prime commodities).
Basic necessities include rice, corn, bread, fresh/dried/canned fish and marine products, fresh pork/beef/poultry meat, fresh eggs, fresh and processed milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles, and essential drugs as classified by the Department of Health.
Illegal acts include hoarding, profiteering, and cartel activities committed by persons engaged in production, manufacture, importation, storage, transport, distribution, sale, or other methods of disposition of basic necessities or prime commodities.
Implementing agencies may determine, recommend, and enforce price ceilings and issue suggested retail prices for basic necessities and prime commodities.
Panic buying refers to consumers purchasing basic necessities and prime commodities in gross excess of their normal needs, leading to undue shortages that prejudice less privileged consumers.
The LPCC is composed of the Provincial Governor or City Mayor as Chairman, the DTI Provincial Director as Vice Chairman, and representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Health, Environment and Natural Resources, Transportation and Communication, Justice, National Economic and Development Authority, consumers, agricultural producers, and trading, manufacturing, and retail sectors.
Penalties include imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more than fifteen (15) years and fines ranging from P5,000.00 to P2,000,000.00.
The implementing agency may initiate summary proceedings for seizure, inventory the goods with witnesses, store them securely, and dispose of them by public sale after proper notice. Proceeds from sale are held in trust pending litigation, and returned to the owner if found not liable or forfeited to the government if liable.