The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reported that the cheapest retail price of rice that can be purchased in Metro Manila markets is P43 per kilo.

Based on DA's Bantay Presyo (Price Watch), the retail prices of rice (imported and local) as of Jan. 10 range from P43 to P68 in the metropolis.

Local Regular Milled rice is the least expensive; it retails for between P43 and P53 per kilo.

Meanwhile, Local Special, which retails for P54 to P68 per kilo, is the most expensive rice in Metro Manila.

Imported Regular Milled rice remains unavailable in markets monitored by the agriculture department, the report stated.

It was noted by the agency that “not available” means that there is no stock available or sold in the market.

The DA said its market price monitoring in Metro Manila covered Commonwealth, Guadalupe, Las Piñas, Malabon, Marikina, Mega Q-Mart, Muntinlupa, Muñoz, Pasay, Pasig, Pritil, Quinta, and San Andres.

On Wednesday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agriculture department is not considering the proposed imposition of suggested retail price (SRP) on farm products, particularly rice.

“We’re not doing it. Prices of rice and other agricultural products in international markets like Thailand and other countries are volatile and fluctuating due to El Nino. Hence, we’re not suggesting to control prices at the moment,” he said in a statement.

In a radio interview on Jan. 6, DA spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said that the agency is currently looking into the possibility of putting an SRP on rice amid the rising prices of the primary staple.

To recall, President Marcos said during his campaign that he was aspiring to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo.