NDA pushes ₱140.5-M digital upgrade plan

The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is seeking a ₱140.5 million allocation under its 2027 budget to fund a nationwide digital infrastructure program aimed at modernizing its regulatory and operational systems.

In a statement last week, NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said the proposed digitalization initiative is intended to respond to long-standing calls from industry stakeholders for faster and more transparent government transactions.

Dairy processors and business operators have been urging improvements in regulatory processes, particularly in reducing paperwork, shortening processing time, and providing real-time updates on applications and compliance requirements.

“The dairy industry is rapidly evolving, and our regulatory systems must keep pace with the needs of stakeholders,” Andaya said.

“Digitalization is a necessary investment that will enable the NDA to deliver responsive, transparent, and efficient services while supporting the continued growth of the Philippine dairy industry.”

Under the proposed program, the agency plans to develop and upgrade several digital platforms, including an Online License to Operate (LTO) portal for dairy processors, an Online Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) system, a Milk Feeding Program monitoring application, and an enhanced LTO information system.

These platforms are expected to streamline regulatory procedures, improve compliance monitoring, and give stakeholders easier and faster access to government services.

The proposal also includes the creation of a secure, unified network connecting the NDA Central Office with its regional and satellite offices nationwide to enable real-time coordination and more reliable data sharing.

Once implemented, the modernization effort is expected to strengthen food safety oversight, improve monitoring of milk feeding programs, enhance data-driven policymaking, and support the government’s broader push for digital transformation and ease of doing business.