Legal Authority for Proclamation
- The proclamation was made under the authority of Section 1 of Act No. 4164.
- Act No. 4164 aims to prevent excessive price increases of prime necessities during public calamities and penalizes violations thereof.
Scope and Application of Act No. 4164
- The proclamation activates the full force and effect of Act No. 4164 within the affected areas.
- It prohibits hoarding of the following essential commodities:
- Palay (unmilled rice)
- Rice
- Corn
- Building or construction materials
- Other prime necessities as specified in the accompanying list
Price Control Measures
- The law forbids the hoarding of the identified commodities with intent to sell them at prices higher by 25% or more than:
- The average local price of the specific commodity one month prior to the disaster.
- This price increase limit is subject to an additional ceiling price cap established by existing executive orders issued pursuant to Republic Act No. 509, as amended.
- The permissible price does not exceed the ceiling price set by these executive orders.
Purpose of the Proclamation
- To prevent exploitation during calamity by controlling prices and curbing hoarding.
- To secure availability and affordability of prime necessities to the affected population.
Formality and Authentication
- The proclamation is officially signed by the President of the Philippines at the time, Elpidio Quirino.
- The Act is authenticated by the affixing of the Seal of the Republic of the Philippines.
- It was executed in Manila on October 27, 1952.
Administrative Implementation
- The proclamation is promulgated and enforced through the office of the Acting Executive Secretary, who countersigned the document.