January 22, 1990

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 7

DIRECTING EMERGENCY MEASURES TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE FROM HOARDING, PROFITEERING, INJURIOUS SPECULATIONS, MANIPULATION OF PRICES, AND OTHER PERNICIOUS PRACTICES AFFECTING THE SUPPLY OF PALAY AND RICE

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 383 dated December 5, 1989 and National Emergency Memorandum Order No. 3 dated December 30, 1989 imposed price ceilings on prime commodities including rice in the National Capital Region for a period until January 31, 1990;

WHEREAS, existing drought conditions in certain regions of the country including major rice producing areas, may effect the supply of palay and rice and consequently, their prices nationwide;

WHEREAS, it is necessary that emergency measures including the imposition of price ceilings on rice be instituted to protect the people from hoarding profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, and other pernicious practices affecting the supply of palay and rice, which may arise from current situation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby direct the Secretary of Trade and Industry to impose price ceilings on rice and take such measures as may be appropriate to ensure the availability and reasonable price of said commodity on a nationwide basis. prcd

The Secretary of Trade and Industry is hereby authorized to review, adjust or revise the aforesaid price ceilings as may be warranted, subject to my approval.

The Department of Trade and Industry is hereby directed to implement this Memorandum Order, to impose such penalties as are provided for under existing laws as well as to institute criminal and civil prosecutions under applicable laws.

The Department of Trade and Industry is hereby authorized to mobilize and deputize all government agencies and instrumentalities including the local government units, Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police, and other law enforcement agencies to strictly implement this Memorandum Order. It is likewise empowered to create task forces in coordination with the National Food Authority for an effective implementation of this Memorandum Order.

The Secretary of Trade and Industry shall observe the general guidelines provided for under Executive Order No. 384, Series of 1989, in the implementation of this Memorandum Order.

This urgent Memorandum Order shall take effect two (2) days after publication in two newspapers of national circulation and shall remain in effect until 28 February 1990.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of January, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety.