Legal basis and calamity context
- Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7581 (the “Price Act”), as amended by RA No. 10623, declares a State policy to protect consumers against hoarding, profiteering, and cartels affecting the supply, distribution, marketing, and pricing of goods during periods of calamity, emergency, and widespread illegal price manipulation.
- Section 7 of RA No. 7581, as amended, authorizes the President to impose a price ceiling on any basic necessity or prime commodity during the existence or effect of an emergency or calamity, or any event that causes an artificial and unreasonable increase in price.
- Proclamation No. 1021 (s. 2020) extended the State of Calamity throughout the country due to COVID-19 for one (1) year from 13 September 2020 or up to 12 September 2021.
- The order is driven by reduced local pork output due to African Swine Fever, which affects supply and prices of pork.
- The order addresses rising retail prices of pork and chicken in NCR, creating undue burden on Filipinos, especially the underprivileged and marginalized.
Purpose and policy objective
- The order is issued to ensure that basic necessities are adequate, affordable, and accessible to all.
- The order is intended to curb undue and rising prices in NCR for selected pork and chicken products.
Coverage and mandated price ceilings
The mandated price ceiling applies in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The mandated price ceilings cover the following selected pork and chicken products and maximum prices per unit weight:
Pork: Kasim/Pigue — Php 270.00 per kilo
Pork: Liempo — Php 300.00 per kilo
Dressed Chicken — Php 160.00 per kilo
Duration and extension
- The order’s effect lasts for sixty (60) days from the date of publication required for effectivity.
- The President may extend the order’s operation upon recommendation of the DA.