Manila, Feb. 4 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday said it aims to influence the local market to bring down rice retail prices closer back to the July 2023 levels under the food security emergency for rice. That period marked the onset of persistent rising rice inflation in the country, logged from July 2023 up to November 2024, exceeding the government's target of 4 percent for rice inflation. "Such (a) condition is considered to remain in place while rice prices have not returned close to the level prior (July)... Iyong July 2023 well milled is PHP45 per kilogram (and) regular milled is PHP41/kg," DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a press briefing. Under the food security emergency for rice, ...