![](/images/Belize_farming_gm.jpg "Pinol: "Philippines are ready to export corn in 2017." (Image source: Gerry Manacsa/Commons)")
Emmanuel F. Piñol, Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines, has stated on his official Facebook page that the Philippines is ready to export corn
On 18 February, Emmanuel F. Piñol, the Secretary of Agriculture of the Philippines, posted an update to his official Facebook page. It was entitled: 'Historic first under Duterte Presidency. Phils ready to export corn; surplus harvest seen in 2017.'
"For the first time in history, the Philippines is ready to export corn to neighbouring countries in the region as corn harvests this year will breach the 5.6-million tons domestic requirement," the post states.
"Yesterday, National Corn Program coordinator, Asst. Secretary Federico Laciste, reported that in spite of the series of natural calamities which hit the country recently, including the 7-month El Niño, yellow and white corn harvest for 2017 is expected to hit 8.1-million metric tons," Piñol wrote.
"On Monday, during the Cabinet meeting, I will officially ask President Rody Duterte to order the National Food Authority (NFA), which is currently under the Office of the President, to amend the guideline which prohibits the export of corn unless the country achieves a 200 per cent sufficiency," Piñol concluded.
