Governor Pryde Henry Teves is looking at ways to address the problem of rising corn costs to ensure food stability in Negros Oriental, particularly involving local government units (LGUs) in the production of the staple.

Teves on Wednesday said in a recent meeting, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Region 7 chief Efren Carreon showed him the reports of increasing food prices.

“Corn alone had a 72 percent inflation rate. How can the livestock sector survive if these are the prices?” Teves said in mixed English and Cebuano.

He said San Miguel Foods Corporation planned to set up a B-Meg plant in Bacong town, but he believes the company could not proceed with its plan, considering the current corn inflation.

Teves said the province is buying corn from Cagayan de Oro but it is not organic.

“If we are really serious in industrializing production to make sure that food prices are affordable, then we have to make a choice,” he said.

The best way is to allow the LGUs to decide whether to go organic or opt for a mixed market.

He noted that a kilo of corn grain now is pegged at PHP27 compared to PHP16.50 in previous years.

“We have to produce ourselves to address the problem here,” he said. (PNA)