MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority (NFA) is planning to begin the procurement of white and yellow corn in the second quarter of 2026, with at least 118,000 50-kilogram bags targeted from five pilot regions, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson confirmed the timeline in a message to the Philippine News Agency, saying procurement will begin “within the first half, but probably not Q1 (first quarter).”

The five initial regions for procurement include Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

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, BARMM with 18,000, and Ilocos with 11,000.

The DA earlier said it is seeking between ₱500 million and ₱1 billion under the proposed 2026 national budget to fund the corn procurement initiative.

Lacson said the NFA is still finalizing strategies for releasing the procured corn, stressing the importance of quick turnover. “Mabilisan iyan. Kung yellow corn dapat two weeks ma-dispose na iyan (It should be quick. Yellow corn must be disposed of after two weeks). For white corn, gigilingin pa iyan (it will be milled),” he said.

The NFA said potential markets include Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) outlets and communities where corn is commonly used as a staple alternative to rice. (PNA)