Manila, June 5 -- To further reduce rice retail prices and benefit Filipino consumers in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it is eyeing to reduce the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for 5 percent broken imported rice on July 1.

The rice MSRP was last adjusted on March 31, after a series of "gradual" reductions that began from PHP58 per kg. in January.

In a Viber message, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said they would reduce the MSRP to PHP43 per kg. of 5 percent broken rice from the current PHP45 per kg.

He said the attempt could further drag down the retail prices of rice in local markets and decrease the prevailing prices of other rice varieties. ...