3. A new law that takes effect Sept. 21 places household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene
under automatic price control in areas declared disaster zones or in a state of calamity.
Republic Act (RA) 10623, which President Aquino recently signed into law, amends The Price Act of
1992, or RA 7851, and adds the two fuels to the list of basic necessities whose prices will either be
automatically be frozen at their prevailing levels or placed under an automatic price control in
disaster zones and areas in a state of calamity, whether natural or man-made.
The price freeze will last for not more than 15 days from the declaration of a state of calamity or
emergency.
Other basic necessities subject to prize freezes in these instances are rice, corn, root
crops, bread, fish (fresh, dried or canned) and other marine products, fresh meat (pork, beef and
poultry), fresh eggs, potable water in bottles and containers, fresh and processed milk, fresh
vegetables and fruits, locally manufactured instant noodles, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry
soap and detergents, firewood, charcoal, candles, and drugs classified “essential” by the
Department of Health.
According to LPG Marketers’ Association (LPG-MA) partylist Rep. Arnel Ty, sellers who violate a
prize freeze in effect can face up to 10 years in prison as well as afine of up to P10 million.
The law was signed by the President on Sept. 6, and will go into effect 15 days after its publication
in newspapers. — BM, GMA News
