House panel approves move to amend Price Act, making PPEs prime commodities

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on trade and industry approved on Thursday a bill that seeks to make personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as face masks as prime commodities, thus subjecting them to price ceilings in times of emergencies.

Four bills (1278, 2662, 5176, 6558) were filed in the House which seeks to amend the Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, seeking to tag more products as basic necessities and prime commodities.

The House panel has approved the consolidation of the bills and approved the move to amend the Price Act “subject to style.”

House Bill No. 6658 seeks to include PPEs such as face masks, safety goggles, and medical devices as prime commodities and to impose price control measures for such products in times of emergencies such as public health crises.

Meanwhile, House Bills No. 1278 and 2662 seek to expand the definition of basic necessities and prime commodities, making products such as potable water in containers, noodles, kerosene and liquified petroleum gas and waterproofed canvas as basic necessities.

House Bill 5176 seeks to impose automatic price control on construction materials during certain situations.

It also seeks to extend the price freeze on construction materials for 150 days.

Under the bill, construction materials such as nipa shingles, sawali, cement, hollow blocks, plywood, nails, electrical supplies among others are tagged as prime commodities.

JE