National Consultation on the Price Act IRR

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) spearheaded the conduct of the National Consultation on the Draft DA Administrative Order Re: Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the “Price Act” (Republic Act No. 7581) in relation to agricultural commodities on September 24, 2014 at The Sulô Riviera Hotel, Quezon City. Around 170 representatives from the concerned DA bureaus attached agencies, DA Regional Field Offices including the Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Divisions, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Councils (RAFCs) and private sector partners from fruits and vegetables, poultry, livestock, and fisheries industries nationwide were in attendance. The consultation garnered the inputs of the participants needed for the finalization of the said draft DA Administrative Order for the IRR of the “Price Act” in relation to agricultural commodities before October 30 of this year. The “Price Act” of 1992 provides consumer protection by stabilizing the price and supply of basic necessities and prime commodities and prescribing measures against undue price increases especially during emergencies. In September 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed R.A. 10623 into law amending certain provisions of R.A. 7581. Participants of the consultation sought for mechanisms that will protect not only the consumers but also the producers and the monitoring of farm gate prices aside from retail prices, adding that small producers should be included in the monitoring teams created. They also asked for the inclusion of garlic, onion, highland vegetables and rice grains among the basic necessities. Upon their request, the participants were given until October 6 to submit a comprehensive account of their recommendations, especially to give the RAFCs time to consult with their provincial and municipal counterparts. Also present during the consultation were DA Assistant Secretary for Livestock Davinio Catbagan, Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and concurrent AMAS Dir. Leandro Gazmin, and DA Legal Division Chief Atty. Vero Librojo, together with resource persons Atty. Michael Andayog of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Atty. Gavino Benitez of the National Dairy Authority, Atty. Jerry dela Cruz of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, and Atty. Maribel Arias of the DA Legal Division.