The National Dairy Authority (NDA)- Leyte Field Office conducted a two-day training on Milking and Milk Handling  Protocol at Brgy. Santiago, Palompon, Leyte on October 8-9, 2020. The training was attended by thirty-seven (37) farmer-members of Barangay Santiago Livestock Farmers Association.

Municipal Mayor Myra Georgina L. Arevalo and members of the municipal council graced the  opening ceremony of the event. In her remarks, Mayor Arevalo expressed her thanks to NDA for the help it extended by distributing fresh milk to the municipal frontliners stationed in border control points and the municipal hospital during the height of the community quarantine in May 2020. She then expressed her enthusiasm for the efforts of the Municipal Agriculture Office together with NDA for coming up with a training activity to equip the farmers. Further, the mayor related her experience in dairying while she was studying abroad in the United States and thus, when she assumed office as the mayor, development of the local dairy industry is now among her major agenda. She then assured everyone of her support to this cause.

Dr. June Clyde B. Descallar, roving veterinarian and Mr. Roberto P. Piamonte, dairy technician of NDA-Leyte Field Office,  conducted a series  of lectures. These were followed by hands-on activities where the farmers took  turn in conducting milking and milk testing.

Mrs. Elizabeth Canson, an NDA assisted dairy partner in Palompon also attended the training and shared her experiences in dairying. She encouraged the farmers that together, they can make the local dairy industry in Palompon a stable and profitable business helping the farmers and the locality.

Palompon has a number of upgraded dairy animals as a result of the uprading program initiated by NDA and Palompon Agriculture’s Office.