Manila, July 1 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to start procuring white and yellow corn next year, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday.

This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the resumption of corn buying by the National Food Authority (NFA), which is under the DA, during a dialogue with Gawad Saka awardees in Nueva Ecija on Monday.

"What we planned is white corn. More on white corn ang bibilhin, of course, mayroong konting (We will buy more of white corn, and of course, a little volume of) yellow corn," Tiu Laurel said in an ambush interview.

He said white corn could reduce the demand for rice as it is considered a good "substitute" or "alternative" for the country's main staple.

"Marami...