THE Department of Agriculture (DA) further reduced the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice to P45 per kilo.
In a statement, the DA said the MSRP for rice was brought down to P45 per kilo from P49, reflecting the global decline in rice prices.
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. said the implementation of gradual decline in the MSRP of imported rice aims to mitigate potential market disruptions and to further stabilize the rice market.
The DA also set the MSRP for pork to P380 per kilo for liempo and P350 per kilo for kasim and pigue.
“While compliance has improved, it is still not at the ideal level,” said Laurel.
Earlier, the DA secretary expressed disappointment after only 30 percent of retailers were able to follow the pork MSRP.
The DA is also eyeing the imposition of lower MSRP on eggs and garlic amid to prevent possible profiteering.
The Philippines imports around 95 percent of the garlic it consumes. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)