Philippine dairy farmers and local governments outside Metro Manila are taking notice of “Yormilk”, the milk feeding program first launched in Manila to provide daycare children with free, locally produced milk.

The initiative, which gives children milk three times a week for 90 days, is being lauded as a potential model for addressing childhood malnutrition while supporting local dairy farmers.

Speaking on Special on Saturday, Marcus Andaya, Administrator of the National Dairy Authority (NDA), said that following Manila’s launch on January 12, at least five LGUs have expressed interest in replicating the program in their areas. Two of these — including Romblon — are already in discussions with the NDA to adapt the initiative locally.

“Nakita ko talaga yung kaligayahan ng mga bata. At ang tuwa ng mga magsasaka. Dahil alam na nila ngayon, kahit hindi sila diretsyang nabilhan ng gatas, alam nila may LGU na pwedeng bumili ng gatas nila at bibili ng mga gatas nila. Hindi man sa kanila, at least sa mga kasamahan nila,” Andaya said.

NDA data show that the Philippines has 2,288 individual dairy farmers and 1,488 dairy entities, including cooperatives, state universities, NGOs, and private farms.

Andaya said this capacity is sufficient to sustain expanded milk feeding programs, though logistical support remains crucial for farmers in remote areas.

“Si Yorme nga, talagang siya, ang ginamit na gatas dito ay locally produced. Kasi ang intention nga niya nung madinig niya ang sitwasyon ng dairy industry, ayaw niya na may masasayang na gatas na gawa ng ating mga lokal na magsasaka,” Andaya said, noting the program’s use of locally produced milk is a key feature.

The NDA is now working with interested LGUs to establish their own milk feeding initiatives, with the hope that Yormilk can become a nationwide model for child nutrition and local agricultural support.