A hefty leap in the growing of genetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn by more than 100 percent to 200,000 hectares in 2006 is contributing to the Philippines’ achieving a significant level of corn sufficiency. [...] Dr. Emil Q. Javier, National Academy of Science and Technology president, said the Philippines needs to develop more GM or hybrid corn varieties particularly for the white corn which is a staple of Visayas and Mindanao natives. "The bigger challenge is in white corn. The private sector is now taking up the task of developing this," he said.