Manila, March 31 -- The PHP45 per kg. maximum suggested retail price (MSRP), the lowest thus far, is set to remain amid a "significant" retail price drop of imported rice in Metro Manila, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday.

This came as the DA and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported around PHP40 to PHP45 per kg. price levels of imported rice in local markets.

During the first day of the PHP45 per kg. rice MSRP implementation on Monday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said it may remain in place for a longer period to protect local farmers from unreasonable buying price levels of some traders amid the harvest season.

"Ngayon (now), I think it is prudent that we will stop at MSRP PHP45 for the next...