President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday led the inauguration of the Farm Fresh Milk Inc. processing facility in Pampanga, calling the project a “milestone” in the country’s push to strengthen domestic dairy production and reduce dependence on imports.
Speaking at the Global ASEANA Business Park 2 in San Simon, President Marcos said the new plant is expected to produce 32 million liters of pasteurized milk and over 2.4 million liters of yogurt annually, helping improve food security and nutrition while creating jobs in local communities.
“Milk still forms a very, very important part of the nutrition and the health of our people,” President Marcos said. “Since we were babies, this is where we get our energy, this is where we get our strength,” he added.
The president acknowledged that the country’s dairy industry continues to face challenges, including heavy reliance on imported milk and the impact of climate change on local production.
The establishment of the Farm Fresh facility, he said, is a crucial step toward building self-sufficiency and ensuring a stable supply of quality dairy products.
“With Farm Fresh here, we are looking forward to a much larger supply of fresh milk for our people,” President Marcos said, adding that a planned second phase of the project involves importing dairy cattle from Malaysia and Australia to further boost local milk output.
Marcos also encouraged Farm Fresh to pursue the next phase under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme to accelerate implementation.
“Make it an unsolicited proposal, it will be much, much faster,” he advised company officials, noting that the government has streamlined the approval process for PPP projects.
The new facility is expected to generate economic opportunities for farmers, veterinarians, and farm workers in Pampanga and surrounding provinces, according to President Marcos.
“Through your efforts, more Filipino farmers and veterinarians can now have a more stable and dignified job,” he said.
The president reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the dairy sector through programs under Republic Act No. 7884 or the National Dairy Development Act.
These include providing loans, distributing dairy animals, and offering training in dairy management, breeding, and husbandry.
“We are now studying ways to further increase local milk production and attract more investments in the dairy industry,” Mr. Marcos said.
“The success of every sector depends on our unity, on your hard work, your dedication, and the government’s support,” he added.
