Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is gearing up to begin the procurement of white and yellow corn in 2026, as announced by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. This initiative follows President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s recent declaration during a dialogue with Gawad Saka awardees in Nueva Ecija regarding the National Food Authority (NFA)'s resumption of corn buying.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DA plans to focus predominantly on white corn, with a smaller volume allocated for yellow corn. Secretary Tiu Laurel highlighted that white corn can serve as an effective substitute for rice, which remains the primary staple food in the Philippines. He noted that many regions within the country continue to consume corn grits, suggesting that this could alleviate the demand for rice.
In preparation for the planned corn procurement, the DA intends to request a budget ranging from PHP500 million to PHP1 billion in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). While the NFA's buying price for corn is yet to be finalized, Tiu Laurel assured that it would exceed the current production costs. DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel De Mesa identified major corn-producing areas such as Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen, and detailed the production costs in these regions.
Once the procurement process is re-initiated, the NFA will utilize 134 newly refurbished warehouses to manage the influx of corn from local farmers. This effort will be complemented by the ongoing sale of aging yet quality rice stocks at PHP20 per kg to vulnerable sectors and minimum wage earners under the 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na' program.
Legal provisions support the procurement of corn, as it aligns with the original functions of the NFA. Tiu Laurel confirmed that the mandate is included in the original charter of the NFA, which has not been altered. De Mesa further stated that historically, the NFA has procured corn and possesses allocated funds for this purpose. The NFA was originally established as the National Grains Authority (NGA) under Presidential Decree 4 in 1972, focusing on the grains industry. However, the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) later redirected its functions towards handling rice buffer stocks.
