By Kenneth Marcos 
Under the warm sun of Batangas, dairy farmers gathered around a table — not to sell milk, but to discuss how to keep their farms alive and thriving for the future of Filipino families.
On September 25, Atty. Marcus Antonius T. Andaya, Administrator of the National Dairy Authority (NDA), met with members of the Samahan ng mga Manggagatas ng Batangas Cooperative (SAMABACO) and owners of several local dairy farms in Batangas. The meeting aimed to tackle the real challenges facing the country’s milk producers.
Listening to Farmers on the Ground
The dialogue was attended by key figures in Batangas’ dairy sector, including:
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Mr. Joey Tapay of Sta. Maria Dairy Farm
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Mr. Danilo Magpantay and Mrs. Tess Magpantay of DHMagpantay Dairy Farm, with Mr. Magpantay also serving as SAMABACO Chairman
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Mr. Jojie Tarnate of Wholly Cow Dairy Farm
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Mr. Bryan Katigbak of Daily Dairy Farm
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Mr. Ramon Balotoc of Balotoc Dairy Farm
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Mr. Angel De Guzman of Kanlungan Dairy Farm
The farmers raised their concerns about the rising cost of feeds, lack of veterinary support, market access, and competition from imported milk. They also offered practical suggestions to strengthen the local dairy industry — from improving breeding programs to expanding government support for small-scale farms.
Government Support and Cooperation
In response, Atty. Andaya emphasized the importance of direct conversations with farmers to understand their needs better. He assured the group that the NDA remains committed to helping uplift the local dairy sector through:
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Technical assistance and training
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Access to financing and equipment
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Linkages to markets and buyers
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Strong collaboration with cooperatives and LGUs
“Ang tagumpay ng industriya ng gatasan ay hindi lang tagumpay ng magsasaka, kundi ng buong bansa. Kailangang nagtutulungan ang pamahalaan at pribadong sektor,” said Andaya.
Milk for Every Filipino Family
The meeting marks a critical step in aligning national policy with grassroots realities. By hearing directly from farmers, the NDA hopes to develop more effective programs that can help achieve self-sufficiency in milk production — a long-standing goal in Philippine agriculture.
Currently, the country imports around 99% of its dairy needs, with only a small portion produced locally. Strengthening the dairy industry is essential not only for reducing dependence on imports but also for providing affordable, nutritious milk to Filipino families.
Path Toward a Stronger Dairy Industry
The Batangas meeting reflects the government’s broader push under the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda to improve rural livelihoods and ensure food security. With continued dialogue and cooperation, dairy farmers across the country may soon have better tools, support, and opportunities to grow.
As the day’s meeting ended, hope was renewed — that one day, the milk on every Filipino table would come from the hands of our own local farmers.
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