Quezon province is moving to build a homegrown dairy industry, with Governor Helen Tan identifying the sector as an emerging livelihood opportunity that could reduce the province’s dependence on the National Dairy Authority (NDA).
In an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on May 9, Tan said she began investing in the program toward the end of 2024, after spotting an opportunity in a country where domestic dairy production accounts for less than 1% of total supply.
“Nakita ko ‘yung opportunity for Quezon sa dairy program. Kita naman natin na ang ating bansa ay less than 1% ang dairy production at puro imported ang ating gatas,” she said.
The province has since moved to establish its own dairy facilities, with research and development and demonstration farms now being developed at the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Tan said Quezon aims to eventually distribute dairy animals independently, without relying on NDA allocations—a goal she hopes to reach as early as next year.
“Hopefully next year, hindi na kami aasa lang sa NDA. We can also distribute at hindi na aasa,” she said.
The governor added that the province is actively looking for land to offer NDA for a multiplier farm, with Quezon hoping to match whatever allocation the national agency can provide.
The program is already drawing results on the ground, according to Minda Mendoza of the Ruminant Raisers of San Antonio Quezon Agricultural Cooperative, who said equipment provided by the province—including cooling tanks, milking machines, and milking cans—is in daily use.
“Bukod pa sa may pang-araw-araw na kita, nakakapagpaaral ng mga anak ang mga dairy farmers,” Mendoza said.
Tan said facility construction is ongoing, and that the province continues to work alongside NDA while building toward self-sufficiency in dairy production.
