MALASIQUI, Nov. 28 -- The Halog West Producers Cooperative in Tubao, La Union, has addressed losses from pests on its white corn crops by producing chichacorn (crunchy white corn snack), which has since become an additional source of income.

Vanessa Mapalo, the cooperative's secretary and a member, said in an interview Friday that their group of 172 members - mostly farmers and their families - has been producing the crunchy white corn snack since 2009.

"Tubao is abundant with white corn crop and they decided to make the chichacorn since most of their produce encountered losses due to pests or worms," she said, quoting her statement in Filipino.

The cooperative initially operated as a grocery shop but opted to become a producer with as...