The National Dairy Authority is accelerating digitalization and science-based regulation as it ramps up implementation of Republic Act No. 12308, a sweeping reform measure expected to reshape the Philippine dairy industry.
During a high-level dialogue organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines at the Makati Shangri-La, NDA Administrator and CEO Marcus T. Andaya outlined key changes under the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, including tighter specialization, expanded digital systems, and stronger food safety oversight.
“The objective of RA 12308 is clear: to create a more responsive, science-based, transparent, and industry-supportive regulatory environment,” Andaya said.
Under the new law, the NDA takes on broader regulatory functions covering licensing, product registration, food safety monitoring, laboratory accreditation, and post-market surveillance of dairy products and establishments.
Central to the reforms is the rollout of the eRELICS platform, a digital system designed to streamline applications, improve tracking transparency, and strengthen compliance monitoring.
The agency also plans to establish a National Reference Laboratory to bolster science-based regulation and food safety testing standards.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the reforms but flagged concerns over regulatory interpretation and implementation, particularly on maintaining smooth trade flows and sustaining investor confidence during the transition.
Despite these concerns, the NDA said the reforms could unlock major growth opportunities for the sector. The Philippines currently produces only about 2.2 percent of its dairy requirements locally, underscoring strong potential for domestic milk production and new dairy investments.
