I am honored and privileged to deliver a message on this special gathering especially for the new officers of Philippine Veterinary Drug Association. I take this as a very important occasion because it is now the right moment to talk seriously on the future of our agriculture.

For the past years, we introduced and implemented various programs and projects. We did maximize our resources and tried our very best to improve the socio-economic situation in the country. However, we encountered a lot of problems along our way to industrialization. These, however, did not deter us from pursuing our dream for a better future.

We have aimed and worked hard for total industrialization hoping to be counted and at pace with other newly industrialized countries. Our commitment is relentless and without any hesitation. Together, our efforts will bear fruits not only for agriculture and industrialization but to sustainable development as a whole.

The farmers need seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs that are accessible and affordable. They need technology to hasten agricultural production. Facilities must be in place for their production and post-harvest needs. They also need help to protect the environment and be assured of their main source of survival.

We have been proud of being a country with rich natural resources. But we must admit now that due to overexploitation and continued abuse, these resources are depleting.

Our aspiration to be an industrialized and a fully developed country would stay as a dream if our agriculture remains to be backward. Thus we have to act now before we lose our chance to arrest the root causes of poverty.

I know and very confident that the role of the Philippine Veterinary Drug Association is very critical in reversing the poverty situation in the country. I therefore urge you to participate and be more active in every endeavor that would work for the genuine development of our agriculture especially the veterinary concern. As a small yet concrete contribution, you may also urge our local government units to set up their provincial veterinary offices that will cater directly to various concerns of veterinary. In this way, we are able to insure that other concerns of agriculture are adequately attended to.

There is no real development if our people remain to be poor and could not afford to have a warm food in their table.

Again, I wish you all the best as we work for a developed agriculture in the country. Together, we shall never fail. Together we shall all reap the fruits of our success.