Manila, Aug. 11 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said the impending 60-day ban on rice importation should not be used as a justification to increase retail rice prices in local markets.

The agency issued the statement following a slight PHP2 per kilogram rise in retail prices observed during a joint market inspection by the DA and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at Quinta Market in Manila.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. reminded retailers to follow the PHP43 per kilogram maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for 5 percent broken imported rice.

"They cannot sell at a high cost. They should sell local rice instead and follow the MSRP, on imported rice," he told the Philippine News Agency in a Viber m...