About 400 stakeholders from the dairy and livestock industries will gather in Negros Occidental for the 16th Dairy Congress and Expo set on Feb. 7 to 9, 2012 at the New Bacolod Pavillon Resort Hotel and Restaurant.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Maranon, Jr. said the choice of the province as Congress host is a recognition by the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines, headed by Juan P. Lozano, that the dairy and livestock sectors in Negros Occidental are alive and well.

“With the arrival of experts and industry leaders for the national event next month, Negros Occidental will be on the dairy and livestock map again. This is a rare opportunity for us to showcase our Negros First Livestock Development Program,” said Maranon.

The DairyCon and its event partner, Negros Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (Nefedaco), are thanking the provincial chief executive for accepting the hosting rights.

Coordinating the staging of the national congress with DairyCon and Nefedaco is Dr. Renante Decena, head of the Provincial Veterinarian Office.

Decena said the event is also a venue for local dairy and livestock stakeholders, including farmers and beneficiaries, to join the expo and various activities.

Not less than 20 booths will be made available for Bacolod City and Negros-based exhibitors.

Organizers said they are inviting former Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, a staunch dairy advocate, to keynote the event.*PNA