New Lucena, Iloilo–The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is expanding its footprint to Western Visayas as part of a broader goal of growing the domestic dairy industry.
On February 16, NDA Administrator Gabriel L. Lagamayo signed a memorandum of agreement with New Lucena Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville. The MOA will pave the way for the establishment of the agency’s Western Visayas Regional Office, laboratory, dairy showroom, dairy demo farm, and the country’s first feed center, in a three-hectare property provided by the town.
Sangguniang Bayan agriculture and cooperative committee chairwoman Jocelyn P. Espia told guests at the MOA signing that the committee fully supports the agreement that will help upgrade New Lucena’s livestock industry. “We will have sufficient and more nutritious milk for our children. With this, the economic status and livestock industry of our municipality will be boosted,” she said.
Mayor Mondejar-Seville said the project will be mutually beneficial for her town and the NDA. “We’re so glad this has materialized. We’re looking forward to NDA’s fresh milk here in New Lucena. Instead of buying processed milk, we can now taste first class and fresh milk for our children. A big benefit to the community, especially to our children and malnourished children,” said Mayor Mondejar-Seville.
NDA has earmarked P40 million for the New Lucena project.
“Unang-una, nabangit kanina ni Mayor na inaahasan niya na makakatikim na siya ng gatas na gawa dito na sa New Lucena. Wala pong ibang magpo-produce noon kung di ang ating mga farmers dito sa New Lucena dahil kayo po ang unang makikinabang sa ating mga (animal) distribution program,” said NDA Administrator Lagamayo (First and foremost, as mentioned by the Mayor, she anticipates tasting milk produced right here in New Lucena. There will be no other producers but our farmers, as they are the primary beneficiaries of our animal distribution programs.)
Administrator Lagamayo said innovative dairy techniques and farm management practices will be implemented at the New Lucena site, including the establishment of feed centers to ensure optimal nutrition for dairy cattle and increased output.
Citing the significant untapped potential of milk production in the province of Iloilo, Lagamayo is hopeful that New Lucena farmers will embrace new technologies and knowledge to boost output.
As part of Lagamayo’s strategic initiatives to achieve 5 percent milk sufficiency, or 80 million liters of milk by 2028, the NDA plans to expand its operational regional offices from six to twelve, providing a more focused approach on provinces and expanded national footprint.
