(Photo from DA-Bicol's Facebook page) LEGAZPI CITY - The Department of Agriculture in Bicol (DA-5) reported on Friday an increase in palay and corn production in 2021 despite strict border control and difficulties in logistics resulting from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. "Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, production of 'palay' in Bicol region increased, with 1.3 million metric tons (MMT), which is higher than the 1.2 MMT output in 2020, while corn production is equivalent to 292,748.28 metric tons compared to the 282,000.57 metric tons last 2020," the agency said in a social media post. "The 2021 palay output is the second all-time high in Bicol since 2011," DA Bicol Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla said, noting that the region attained the highest production in 2018 at 1.35 MMT. Camarines Norte's palay output was registered at 116,292.63 MT; Camarines Sur 683,203 MT; Sorsogon 150,793.40 MT; Albay 224,533 M