President Marcos strengthens PH dairy self-sufficiency with Malaysian milk production plant

October 3, 2025

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Strengthening the local milk industry, reducing dependence on imported dairy products, and generating more jobs for Filipinos.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated the Farm Fresh Milk Plant in San Simon, Pampanga on Friday, boosting local dairy production and creating more economic opportunities for Filipinos.

In his speech during the inauguration at the Global Aseana Business Park 2, President Marcos emphasized the significance of milk for both health and the economy, while also highlighting government initiatives aimed at strengthening the local dairy sector.

“Hindi man palaging napapansin, ngunit napakahalaga ng gatas sa ating kalusugan at sa ating ekonomiya… Ang paglaki at pag-develop ng ating kabataan ay nakasalalay sa tamang nutrisyon, kabilang na (rito) ang galing sa gatas,” President Marcos said.

“Ang industriya ng pagkain at manufacturing ay nangangailangan din ng gatas para sa produksyon ng mga tinapay, panghimagas, at iba pang mga delicacies.”

The Chief Executive said the local dairy industry continues to struggle with its dependence on imports and climate-related challenges, acknowledging the need for modern facilities to collect and process dairy products.

The President said the newly inaugurated Farm Fresh Milk Inc. Plant, which is projected to produce 32 million liters of pasteurized milk and 2.4 million liters of yogurt annually, will provide efficient production and sustainable income sources for farmers and farm workers across Pampanga and neighboring provinces.

“None of this would have been possible without the consistent support of Farm Fresh in our collective aspiration to boost our local production of dairy products. Through your efforts, more Filipino farmers, veterinarians can now have a more stable and dignified job,” said the President.

“So, I hope you will continue to improve and expand your operations, while bringing greater opportunities to our communities.”

President Marcos also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Dairy Industry Development Program, under Republic Act 7884, which has distributed 1,042 local cattle and 275 dairy goats to 393 farmers nationwide.

The program provides loans, dairy animals, and training for farmers in dairy management, husbandry, and breeding.

The President added that the government is studying ways to boost production of dairy products and attract more investments into the sector.

“Makakaasa kayo na naririto ang pamahalaan upang magpatupad ng mga programang magpapabilis sa ating pag-proseso ng dairy products,” President Marcos said.

Farm Fresh Milk Inc. is the Philippine subsidiary of Malaysia’s leading dairy company, Farm Fresh Berhad. The 5,700-square meter dairy processing facility in San Simon, Pampanga has an investment capital of PhP312.5 million.

President Marcos led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, together with Philippine and Malaysian officials including Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick D. Go, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and Farm Fresh executives.

During the tour of the Farm Fresh Milk plant, the President was joined by 15 grade school learners from San Pablo Elementary School.

From July 2022 to June 2025, the government’s Milk Feeding Program has supplied 19.35 million liters of locally produced milk benefiting 3.37 million children.

Undertaken by the Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Milk Feeding Program incorporates fresh milk and fresh milk-based food products in the hot meals provided to children. | PND

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NEWS RELEASE 

October 3, 2025

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Aeta communities displaced by the 1991 eruption of Mt Pinatubo will soon own titles to their land.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday welcomed the announcement that indigenous communities residing in a relocation site in Porac, Pampanga will soon be granted ownership of the land.

“Hindi po maliit na bagay ‘yung kaka-announce lang ni Congresswoman GMA (former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) na ‘yung titulo ng lupa ay mabibigay na para hindi na po kayo nag-aalala,” President Marcos said.

Before the President’s remarks during the distribution of livelihood assistance to Aeta families, Macapagal-Arroyo announced that the indigenous communities displaced by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and who now reside in Katutubo Village in Porac, could now own the land.

Macapagal-Arroyo joined President Marcos and other officials during the distribution of carabaos and farm implements to Aeta families in Porac.

Speaking during the event, President Marcos recognized the contributions of Pampanga’s indigenous people in ensuring food security in the country.

“Napakahalaga nito dahil pagka kayo’y nagsasaka, hindi po kayo nagpapakain lamang ng sarili ninyo at saka ng pamilya ninyo. Iyong sinasaka ninyo, ‘yung tinatanim ninyo, ‘yung inaani ninyo ay kasama po ‘yan sa pagpakain ng lahat ng mga Pilipino,” the President said.

“Kaya napakahalaga ng inyong sektor ng agrikultura at kailangan na kailangan… bibigyan po natin lahat ng tulong upang makaahon, upang naman magkaroon ng mga simple lang na hanapbuhay at makatulong pati sa progreso sa ating minamahal na Pilipinas.”

A total of 127 beneficiaries received carabaos and farm tools while nearly 1,200 beneficiaries from Barangays Planas and Camias received PhP10,000 cash assistance each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). | PND

October 1, 2025

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A top official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday reported a steady decline in the number of communist guerilla fronts in the country, highlighting the success of the efforts of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to dismantle the remaining guerrilla units in the country.

“Based on the parameters on the clearing, we have seen a steady decline in all the insurgency parameters,” AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Larida said in terms of manpower, in 2022 there were 2,008communist terrorist groups monitored. By the end of the first semester of 2025, the number of CTGs has gone down to 901.

“So halos less than half na lang ang natira. Malaki po ang role ng Armed Forces of the Philippines in contributing sa objectives ng NTF-ELCAC,” Larida said.

In terms of weapons at the rebels’ possession, the AFP official said that from 1,817 firearms in 2022, the number dropped to 731 by the end of first semester of 2025.

The AFP official joined the Executive Committee meeting of the NTF-ELCAC held in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Aside from conducting military operations, Larida said the military is also engaged in a charm campaign to persuade the rebels to return to the fold of the law.

The AFP is transitioning from internal defense towards external defense as previously mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“We’re shifting to territorial defense missions. We are winding up our internal security operations,” Larida said. | PND

PBBM on improved ratings: Continue governance despite controversies

October 2, 2025

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“Kahit na ano ang nangyari… ang taumbayan ay umaasa sa pamahalaan na tuloy ang serbisyo.”

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey for the second quarter of 2025 showed that close to half or 46 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s performance, up from 38 percent in April.

President Marcos expressed surprise at his improved satisfaction rating, remaining focused on governance and serving the people.

In a media interview on Wednesday during his visit to Masbate to distribute assistance to one of the areas hardest hit by Typhoon Opong, President Marcos said public service would continue despite any controversies.

“I guess we just have to keep working. Whatever is happening, kahit na ano ang nangyari, kahit may bagyo, kahit may iskandalo, kahit may gulo, ang taumbayan ay umaasa sa pamahalaan na tuloy ang serbisyo, tuloy ang trabaho ng pamahalaan at every level- at the national level, at the local level, na tuloy-tuloy lang,” the President told the media who sought his comment on his improved ratings.

The SWS survey, conducted from June 25 to 29 and released on Tuesday, showed a net satisfaction rating of +10, computed from the 46 percent satisfied minus the 36 percent dissatisfied.

The President’s +10 net satisfaction rating in June was a 20-point increase from the -10 rating in April.

President Marcos said he was not aware of the survey but appreciated the people’s recognition of the government’s efforts to address their needs.

“You know what? I have no idea. I don’t look so much at the (survey). It’s, of course, nice to note. I didn’t know about that. But now that you tell me, of course, I’m glad that it’s that way. I guess we just have to keep working,” the President said.

President Marcos emphasized that the entire government is working to ensure that public servants, elected by the people, are committed to easing the daily burden of the Filipino people.

“Kaming mga public servant, kaming mga hinalal ng taumbayan ay dapat nakikita na hindi naglalaro, na kung ano-ano ginagawa, namumulitika, whatever, basta’t nagtratrabaho lang para makapagserbisyo sa tao,” said the President. | PND

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October 1, 2025

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday extended his sympathies to the families affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu, assuring residents that government agencies have been fully mobilized to assist, conduct search and rescue operations, and restore essential services in the affected communities.

“Mga kababayan, kagabi ay niyanig ng magnitude 6.9 na lindol ang Cebu na may epicenter sa karagatan, humigit-kumulang 19 kilometro hilaga-silangan ng Bogo City. Buong puso akong nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, at kasama sa aking mga dasal ang kaligtasan ng mga nasugatan at lahat ng naapektuhan ng lindol,” President Marcos in a statement.

The President assured the public that department heads have rushed to the affected areas to ensure that assistance is provided and to assess the damage from the earthquake and its aftershocks.

“Nasa mga apektadong lugar na po ang ating mga Kalihim upang magbigay ng tulong at suriin ang pinsala mula sa lindol at mga aftershock,” President Marcos added.

The President also said that government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are actively working to restore essential services in Cebu following the powerful quake.

“Tinitiyak ng DPWH ang kaligtasan ng mga kalsada at tulay. Ang DOE ay kumikilos upang maibalik ang suplay ng kuryente. Ang DOH ay nagpadala ng karagdagang tauhan sa mga ospital, at ang DSWD ay naghahatid ng pagkain at iba pang tulong,” President Marcos noted.

The Chief Executive emphasized that emergency responders are on the ground to rescue survivors and maintain order.

“Katuwang ang BFP sa search and rescue, habang ang PNP ay nakatutok sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at pagtulong sa mga operasyon ng pagliligtas,” President Marcos.

The President said that coordinating agencies such as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) have also been tasked with overseeing a unified response.

“Pinamumunuan ng OCD at NDRRMC ang koordinasyon ng lahat ng ahensya upang matiyak ang mabilis at maayos na pagtugon,” President Marcos said.

The President at the same time called on residents to remain vigilant. “Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na manatiling alerto at makinig sa abiso ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan. Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan,” said President Marcos. | PND