President Arroyo has directed the National Food Authority (NFA), Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI), and the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) to ensure that the basic food supply and prices of basic commodities are stable.

The Chief Executive issued Executive Order No. 834 authorizing the three government agencies to intervene in the stabilization of the supply and price of basic items.

The order, which was signed on October 15, takes effect until December 31.

Presidential economic spokesperson Gary Olivar said the EO, which seeks to expand the list of basic commodities under the price control is “consistent with the President’s desire to appropriately protect people’s welfare.”

Under the EO, Mrs. Arroyo tasked the NFA, FTI and the PITC to include in their commodity coverage basic food items other than stable cereals and to use their corporate funds, manpower and other facilities, including government-guaranteed credit lines and supplemental government support to ensure that the rights of consumers are protected.

The directive also provided that special safeguard duties on chicken and/or products “may be lifted” to encourage private sector importation under the guidelines and procedures which will be released by Secretaries of Agriculture, Finance and Bureau of Customs.

She directed Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to determine the reasonable volume of pork and chicken that will be imported.