New Lucena to Establish PHP40-Million Feeds Center to Elevate Western Visayas’ Dairy Industry

NEW LUCENA, ILOILO — A significant development is set to take place in New Lucena town, Iloilo, as a PHP40-million feeds center, aimed at propelling the dairy industry forward in the region, is announced. The initiative comes following a memorandum of agreement between the National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the local government, marking a notable collaboration for agricultural advancement in Western Visayas.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agreement was formalized on Friday with signatures from NDA Administrator Dr. Gabriel L. Lagamayo and New Lucena Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville. The event was also attended by NDA OIC Assistant Manager Vicente B. Bitolinamisa III and members of the Western Visayas Dairy Farmers Confederation, showcasing the unified support for the dairy sector’s growth.

Dr. Lagamayo highlighted the construction plan for the feeds center, which will be situated on a 3-hectare municipal property. The center is designed to encompass the NDA regional office building and include facilities for feeds and milk laboratories, along with a training center. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to make New Lucena a hub for livestock development, a vision supported by Mayor Seville.

The center, once operational, is projected to produce substantial quantities of dairy feeds, including 250 tons of corn silage and 50 tons of pelletized concentrates monthly. Dr. Lagamayo emphasized the importance of engaging farmer partners to ensure the sustainability of the project, indicating a forward-looking approach to agricultural development and support.

The announcement comes at a time when the dairy industry in Western Visayas is experiencing significant growth. Vicente B. Bitolinamisa III noted a 6 percent annual increase in production and herd inventory over the past three years, underscoring the timely nature of this investment in the region’s dairy sector.

The establishment of the PHP40-million feeds center represents a strategic effort to enhance the dairy industry’s infrastructure in Iloilo and Western Visayas, promising to foster economic growth and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.