Proclamation No. 2374, issued on September 3, 1984, by President Ferdinand E. Marcos, declares a state of public calamity in various provinces and cities in the Philippines due to the devastation caused by typhoons "Maring" and "Nitang." The proclamation aims to prevent price gouging and hoarding of essential goods during the crisis by making it unlawful to sell food and construction materials above the prices set by authorities. The Price Stabilization Council is tasked with enforcing these regulations, including the seizure of commodities sold at illegal prices. Additionally, government ministries are directed to provide necessary aid, distribute agricultural seeds, and repair damaged infrastructure. Overall, the proclamation emphasizes coordinated government efforts to facilitate relief and rehabilitation in the affected areas.
September 3, 1984
PROCLAMATION NO. 2374
DECLARING THE EXISTENCE OF A PUBLIC CALAMITY IN CERTAIN PROVINCES AND CITIES IN THE COUNTRY
WHEREAS, great damage and destruction of life and property were brought about by typhoons "Maring" and "Nitang" in certain areas in the country;
WHEREAS, to prevent excessive increase in the prices of prime commodities due to profiteering and hoarding by those who control the supply thereof and to enable the government as well as civic, relief and welfare agencies to carry out their functions, it is necessary that a state of public calamity be proclaimed in areas thus far reported to have been severely affected; casia
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim that state of public calamity exists in the following and cities:
| Metropolitan Manila | Region III | ||
| Malabon | Tarlac | ||
| Navotas | Nueva Ecija | ||
| Valenzuela | Zambales | ||
| Region I | Cabanatuan City | ||
| La Union | San Jose City | ||
| Pangasinan | Region IV | ||
| Ilocos Sur | Palawan | ||
| Ilocos Norte | Mindoro Occidental | ||
| Abra | Region VI | ||
| Benguet | Negros Occidental | ||
| Mt. Province | Iloilo City | ||
| Laoag City | Iloilo Province | ||
| Baguio City | Region VII | ||
| Dagupan City | Cebu | ||
| San Carlos City | Cebu City | ||
| Region II | Region VIII | ||
| Batanes | Southern Leyte | ||
| Cagayan | Region X | ||
| Ifugao | Surigao Prov. and City | ||
| Isabela | Misamis Oriental | ||
| Kalinga-Apayao | Camiguin | ||
| Nueva Vizcaya | Region XI | ||
| Quirino | Davao City |
During the existence of the calamity, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation in said provinces and cities to sell or offer for sale any foodstuff, building and construction materials and other prime necessities of life at prices exceeding those fixed or which may be fixed by proper authorities and to aggravate the crisis by refusing, for the purpose of profiteering, to sell at the legal price, or by hiding, concealing or hoarding such foodstuff, building and construction materials and other price commodities for the same purpose. cdt
The Price Stabilization Council, with the assistance of the Integrated National Police, shall enforce and provisions of Act 4164, particularly Section 3 thereof, in all affected areas. As such implementing agency, the Council is hereby empowered to order the seizure of any commodity, material, or merchandize or prime necessity, sell them to the public at the price authorized by Act 4164, and reimburse to the owner of the same its legal price.
In addition the Ministry of Agriculture and Food shall immediately distribute palay and corn seeds at the subsidized price or grant palay and corn seed loan wherever necessary in order to enable farmers in the afflicted areas to replant.
The National Food Authority shall issue rice to the calamity area when needed through the MSSD/PNRC under their existing scheme of payment.
The Ministry of Public Works and Highways shall undertake the interim repair/rehabilitation of all infrastructure damaged by typhoon "Maring."
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of National Defense shall endeavor to bring fuel supplies and basic commodities either by air transportation or by other means to such places in the afflicted provinces and cities as are threatened by a supply shortage of these items.
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports shall make provisions for the late closing of classes and absences of students in the afflicted areas covered by this proclamation.
All government agencies concerned are hereby directed to implement and execute rescue, relief and rehabilitation work in accordance with existing operational plans and the directive and order I have issued in connection with calamities.
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 Eighty-Four.