The Department of Agriculture has created a technical working group that will draft the implementing rules and regulations relating to Section 9 of the Price Act on agricultural products.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Special Order 18 creating the TWG. Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, safeguards consumers against undue price increases.

Section 9 refers to the allocation of a buffer fund and states that “the implementing agency may procure, purchase, import, or stockpile any basic necessity or prime commodity, devise ways and means of distributing them for sale at reasonable prices in areas where there is shortage of supply or a need to effect changes in its prevailing price.”

The Policy Research Service, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Regulations, and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service will be part of TWG, providing the group with technical and administrative assistance, said the agency.