Various local government units in Negros Oriental are now responding positively to the “Gatasang Barangay” program that promotes production of fresh milk from domesticated animals, especially cows, carabaos and goats.

Provincial veterinarian Antonio Mutia said yesterday the program is designed to provide livelihood to local farmers, and help address malnutrition of children, through milk feeding.

Bayawan City is buying fresh milk from farmers and supplying it to pre-schoolers of 10 day care centers, he said. Canlaon City has also indicated its interest in adopting the program, Mutia said.

He said the Provincial Veterinarian Office conducted a forum on implementing the program in Dauin town and Bais City.

People may not be aware that there is a factory of pure milk around them, he said. Cow is capable of producing three to five liters of milk everyday, especially if it is given the right food, he added.

Everytime consumers buy milk in the grocery, they are giving jobs to farmers from New Zealand or Australia or from other countries where the milk came from, he said.

“Why not patronize milk produced by our own farmers so that they will be encouraged to go into that venture?” he said.

Mutia said local government units shouldlead in the promotion of the program.*RA

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