AUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL GRAINS AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE AND IMPORT EXCLUSIVELY THE ANNUAL WHEAT GRAIN REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUNTRY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 726
• Sections: 5

Preamble

WHEREAS, at present the wheat requirements of the country

is determined by private wheat importers, a situation which fosters an

unrealistic assessment of the country's needs thereby triggering an

increasing trend in the prices of wheat products to the detriment of the

people;

WHEREAS, wheat is a good staple substitute which

may be utilized in times of acute shortages in rice provided that prices

of wheat products are stabilized;

WHEREAS, effective price stabilization at minimum cost

requires the coordination of policies on the importation of not only

rice and corn but other grains as well, more particularly, wheat.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,

do hereby decree and order, and make as part of the law of the land the

following:

Section 1

SECTION 1. Any provision of law, order or regulation to the

contrary notwithstanding, the National Grains Authority (NGA) shall have

the authority to determine and import exclusively, from whatever source

abroad, the annual wheat grain requirements of the country; Provided,

That, the NGA shall include wheat grain in its total grains policy in

coordination with the rice and corn policies; and Provided, That, the

NGA shall have the authority to negotiate, for and on behalf of the

Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the importation of wheat

grains on a government-to-government basis; and Provided, Further, that

the importation of wheat grains shall be exempted from customs duties,

taxes and other charges.

Section 2

SEC. 2. As soon as the NGA has procured the first

importation of sufficient quantities of wheat grains, and determined

that it can continue and maintain such importation to meet the annual

requirements of the country, it shall accordingly make a formal

declaration to that effect by publishing such declaration in a newspaper

of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks. Effective

on the day after the last day of such publication, and except only as

to those private importation covered by procurement contracts entered

into and perfected prior to the aforesaid day, the importation of wheat

grains by private persons or entities shall thenceforth be prohibited.

Thereafter, the wheat grain requirements of the private flour millers,

as well as other users, shall be secured from the NGA. The NGA shall

promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to govern the allocation

of wheat grains.

Section 3

SEC. 3. Any provision of law, decree, order or regulation

inconsistent or contrary with the provisions of this decree are hereby

repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 4

SEC. 4. This decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of June, in the year of

Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President

Republic of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary