PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF PUBLIC CALAMITY IN THE PROVINCE OF OCCIDENTAL NEGROS AND THE CITY OF BACOLOD AND DECLARING IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT THEREIN THE PROVISIONS OF ACT NO…

WHEREAS, it has been found that there is a
widespread scarcity of the supply of rice and palay in the Province of
Occidental Negros and the City of Bacolod caused by a long nationwide draught
which prevented the farmers in the rice-producing regions of the Philippines to
plant the rice-fields in due time;

WHEREAS, this scarcity has brought about an
increase in the price of rice and palay and has rendered more difficult the
means of livelihood of the people of said province and city;

WHEREAS, the resulting crisis has been aggravated
by the hiding, concealing and hoarding of rice and palay by some owners and
dealers of said commodities for purposes of profiteering; and

WHEREAS, such a state of things has caused deep
concern and fear among the people of said province and city and unless
effective measures are immediately taken to cope with the emergency, panic and
disorder therein will certainly ensue;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ramon Magsaysay, President of
the Philippines, by virtue of the powers conferred upon me by Act No. 4164 of
the former Philippine Legislature, entitled “An Act to prevent the excessive
increase in the prices of certain prime necessities of life on the occasion of
a public calamity, penalizing the violation thereof, and for other purposes,”
do hereby certify and declare that a public calamity resulting from drought and
scarcity of rice and palay exists in the Province of Occidental Negros and City
of Bacolod and declare in full force and effect therein the provisions of said
Act No. 4164.

The public order in the province and city
above-named so requiring, I hereby order the Commander of the Philippine
Constabulary of Occidental Negros, or his duly authorized representative, to
seize any stock of rice or palay that is hidden, concealed, or hoarded for
purposes of profiteering by any owner or dealer thereof when such a stock is in
excess of one hundred cavanes.

The stock of rice and palay so seized shall be
delivered to the representative of the Price Stabilization Corporation (PRISCO)
in Bacolod City to be sold and disposed of to the public in accordance with law
and the proceeds of the sale at legal price shall be reimbursed to the
respective owners thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of
September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the
Independence of the Philippines, the ninth.

RAMON MAGSAYSAY
President of the Philippines

By the President:

FRED RUIZ CASTRO
Executive Secretary