QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 124)
EO No. 124 is based on Section 2 and Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 (Price Act), as amended by RA No. 10623, which authorizes the President to impose a price ceiling on basic necessities or prime commodities during an emergency or calamity or when there is artificial and unreasonable price increase, upon recommendation of the implementing agency/Price Coordinating Council.
There must be an emergency or calamity, or an event that causes an artificial and unreasonable increase in the price of the basic necessity or prime commodity.
Proclamation No. 1021 extended the State of Calamity nationwide due to COVID-19 for one year from 13 September 2020 up to 12 September 2021. EO 124 cites this to support the existence of an emergency/calamity context.
Pork: Kasim/Pigue—PHP 270.00/kg; Liempo—PHP 300.00/kg. Chicken: Dressed Chicken—PHP 160.00/kg. The mandate applies to the National Capital Region.
It applies only in the National Capital Region (NCR).
It takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, and it remains in force for sixty (60) days from the date of publication unless extended by the President upon the recommendation of the DA.
It may be extended by the President upon recommendation of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The State aims to provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering, and cartels with respect to supply, distribution, marketing, and pricing of goods during periods of calamity, emergency, and widespread illegal price manipulation.
It cited reduced local pork output due to ASF as affecting supply and raising pork prices. This supports the claim that there is an emergency-related and unreasonable/undue price increase that justifies a price ceiling under RA 7581.
It emphasized significantly increased retail prices of pork and chicken in NCR causing undue burden, especially to underprivileged and marginalized groups, and it tied the increase to reduced supply (ASF) and the emergency context (COVID-19 State of Calamity).
No. It imposes a mandated price ceiling only for selected pork and chicken products: Kasim/Pigue, Liempo, and Dressed Chicken, and only within NCR.
The DA recommended the imposition of the price ceiling. Under the Price Act, the President acts upon recommendation of the implementing agency or the Price Coordinating Council; EO 124 specifically relies on DA’s recommendation.
It means sellers must comply with the specified maximum prices per kilo for the listed products; charging above the ceiling would be inconsistent with the EO mandate and the Price Act’s anti-hoarding/profiteering policy.
By setting specific, time-limited ceilings for essential commodities in the affected area to ensure they remain adequate, affordable, and accessible, rather than implementing an indefinite or nationwide broad price control.
Key elements include: (1) existence of emergency/calamity or artificial/unreasonable price increase; (2) statutory authority under RA 7581 as amended (Section 7); (3) proper recommendation by the DA/implementing agency; (4) proper subject matter (basic necessity/prime commodity); (5) proper coverage (specified products and NCR); and (6) compliance with effectivity requirements (publication and time limit).