Marcos bares NFA to start procuring corn from local farmers

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Monday that the National Food Authority (NFA) would start procuring corn from local farmers. 

''Puwede ko na rin i-announce, 'yung NFA bibili na rin ng mais. Bumabalik tayo doon sa dating trabaho ng NFA, na rice and corn. Rice and corn talaga 'yung NFA,'' Marcos said during an event in Nueva Ecija. 

(I can now announce, the NFA will also buy corn. We're returning to the previous job of the NFA of procuring rice and corn. NFA really buys rice and corn.) 

Marcos did not specify when the corn procurement will start.

In a text message to Palace reporters, NFA administrator Larry Lacson said this would be piloted next year once a budget is allocated. 

The government is also planning to do this in selected areas, according to Lacson.

Under its present mandate, the NFA is tasked to maintain sufficient rice buffer stocks to be sourced mainly from local farmers. —KG, GMA Integrated News