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Instant noodles, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), drinking water, and kerosene ought to be protected from unwarranted price hikes, especially during times of calamities. For this purpose, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan and Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte filed House Bill (HB) No.7977,  which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No.7581 or the Price Act to include these four items on the list of basic necessities covered by the regular monitoring of the Price Coordinating Council (PCC). “The Price Act is due for an update. The Act has not included ‘new’ goods that by virtue of their mass and necessary usage, qualify as basic necessities,” Yamsuan and Villafuerte said in their bill’s explanatory note. The measure also provides a mechanism for greater flexibility in including or excluding types and brands of goods in the list of basic necessities or prime commodities. Enacted back in 1992, the Price Act ensures fair pricing and availability of basic necessities and prime commodities, especially during times of calamities and emergencies. Under the law, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices in places declared as disaster areas or under a state of calamity. It also outlines the responsibilities of government agencies in monitoring prices and ensures a just return on investment for legitimate businesses. Under the Price Act, the inclusion or exclusion of goods on the list of basic necessities and prime commodities can be done upon the petition of concerned parties. HB No.7977 amends this provision by also allowing the inclusion or exclusion of goods through motu proprio action of the concerned agencies of the PCC. Motu proprio in this context means voluntary action by the concerned agencies. The secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chairs the PCC, which also includes as members the secretaries of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Justice (DOJ); the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); and one representative each form the sector of consumers, agricultural producers, trading, and manufacturers. In Section 3 of the Price Act, the list of basic necessities include rice; corn; bread; fresh, dried and canned fish and marine products; fresh pork, beef, and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; root crops; coffee; sugar; cooking oil; laundry soap; detergents; firewood; charcoal; candles; and drugs classified as essential by the DOH. This section will be amended through the bill to include instant noodles, LPG, kerosene, and potable water in containers. Also under the 31-year-old law, price control for basic necessities also takes place in areas declared under a state of  emergency, martial law, state of rebellion, state of war, or where the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Hoarding, profiteering, forming cartels, and other acts meant to manipulate prices of basic necessities and prime commodities are illegal and penalized under the Price Act.