Amending Presidential Decree No. 43 "Providing For The Accelerated Development Of The Fishery Industry Of The Philippines," To Provide Effective Means To Insure The Supply Of Fish And Fishe

MALACAÑANG
M a n i l a

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 553 September 11, 1974

AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 43 "PROVIDING FOR THE ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHERY INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES," TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE MEANS TO INSURE THE SUPPLY OF FISH AND FISHERY/AQUATIC PRODUCTS AT REASONABLE PRICES

WHEREAS, the effect of the recent calamities which befell the country tended to raise the prices of the basic necessities of life including the price of fish and fishery/aquatic products;

WHEREAS, the price of fish, which is the major and cheapest source of protein in the diet of our people, has escalated to a level beyond the reach of the great mass of our people due to the destruction wrought upon fishponds, fishpens and fish nurseries by the recent typhoons and floods;

WHEREAS, unless measures are taken immediately and decisively to bring the price of fish fry and fingerlings to reasonable levels, the price of fish will continue to be high and beyond what our people can afford;

WHEREAS, the price of "bangus" fry and fingerlings have,...

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Presidential Decree No. 553 Amending Presidential Decree No. 43

Background and Purpose:
- To address the escalating prices of fish and fishery/aquatic products due to recent calamities that destroyed fishponds, fishpens, and fish nurseries. (Whereas clauses)
- To ensure the supply of fish and fishery/aquatic products at reasonable prices. (Title)

Provisions:
- Authorizes the Secretary, upon the recommendation of the Director, to fix a fair and reasonable price for fry and fingerlings of any fish species in the following situations: (Section 6, Paragraph B, Subparagraph 19)
    - When the supply of fish and fishery/aquatic products is expected to fall below the usual demand due to destruction caused by typhoons, floods, and other fortuitous events.
    - When speculation, monopolistic, and other pernicious practices tend to create an artificial shortage of fry and/or fingerlings, leading to increased prices.
- Allows the Secretary to fix different price levels for various areas or regions, considering factors such as availability, accessibility to transportation facilities, packing, and crating. (Section 6, Paragraph B, Subparagraph 19)
- Requires the fixed price to guarantee the gatherers of fry a just and equitable return for their labor. (Section 6, Paragraph B, Subparagraph 19)
- Specifies that any administrative order of the Secretary fixing such prices shall take effect immediately, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law. (Section 6, Paragraph B, Subparagraph 19)

Effective Date:
- The Decree shall take effect upon its promulgation. (Final paragraph)