Manila: The National Food Authority (NFA) announced plans on Thursday to initiate procurement of both white and yellow corn in the second quarter of 2026. This move is set to take place across five pilot regions within the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has projected that at least 118,000 50-kilogram bags will be procured. NFA Administrator Larry Lacson communicated through a Viber message that the procurement will commence within the first half of the year, likely starting in the second quarter rather than the first.
The pilot regions designated for this initiative are Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Among these, Cagayan Valley is expected to contribute the largest volume at 40,000 bags, followed by Northern Mindanao with 26,000 bags, Soccsksargen with 23,000 bags, BARMM with 18,000 bags, and Ilocos with 11,000 bags.
The DA has earlier indicated its intention to secure funding between PHP500 million and PHP1 billion in the 2026 national budget to support this initiative. Lacson also mentioned that strategies for the release of procured corn are still under consideration, with a focus on ensuring a rapid turnover.
Lacson emphasized the need for quick disposal, stating that yellow corn should be disposed of within two weeks, while white corn will undergo milling. Potential markets for the procured corn include Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) outlets and regions where corn is a common alternative to rice.
