AGRIBIZ MASONS: food production from farm to fork

By VW Mano Villarica, DVM (374)

Merriam Webster defines Agribusiness as an industry engaged in the production operation of a farm, the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment and supplies, and the processing, storage, and distribution of farm commodities.

More than a decade ago – back in 2011, the late MW Oscar Bunyi, PGM called on several brethren from various industries in the agribusiness world to meet and form a group with simple objectives:

• Strengthening nationwide ties even among competitors, • Reach out the Brethren & DeMolays in finding jobs as well as meet key brethren customers, • and Assist distressed brethren and their families as needed.

It was not very difficult to have brethren sign up to become members, as there were so many in the animal health and nutrition industry - livestock & poultry farm owners & contract growers, proprietors and sales personnel of veterinary companies, veterinary consultants, and nutritionists. Over time, many others in the agribusiness industry and allied industries became members - importers of live animals, horticulture farmers, government, agricultural financing, and a few politicians working on agricultural committees or farmers themselves.

The task to lead and draw a plan for the group fell upon the first set of officers with MW OB at the helm, assisted by Bros Mano Villarica, Manny Dayacap, Anwar Cheng, Tito Coronation and Jay Reyes. Around 50 members formed part of the initial membership. They coming from all over the country.

AGRIBIZ TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION, INC.”, shortened Agribiz Masons, was immediately registered with the SEC. A visit to the Office of the Grand Master was arranged by MW OB. Meetings with golf games and festive fellowships were held in various parts of the country, hosted by Agribiz Masons - Bulacan, Lipa, General Santos City, Davao, Tarlac, Cagayan de Oro.

During meetings, everyone shared highlights on the industry, ideas and forms of assistance were shared. There were issues on farm gate prices, ingredients and other inputs, government regulations, importations of meat or other products, international and local conventions, schedules of product launchings, sharing of products leaflets, competitive information, financing requirements for new farms, movement of personnel; there were just too many things that gave everyone something to pick up to assist him in any way.

Over the first few years, the membership had tripled in number, and regional fellowships became a normal activity. Meetings in the NCR were held quarterly and culminated with a Christmas Party, with Vis-Min brethren attending as many companies had December meetings in NCR. On several occasions, foreign guests of members were invited to the meetings, and shared a lot of useful information. The long term plan of having a Scholarship Program for the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) was implemented on the 3rd year of existence. In 2014, Agribiz Mason was able to sponsor 2 students on their 3rd & 4th year in the DVM course, both finishing with excellent credentials. Agribiz Mason was recognized by

the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs of the UPLB.

The scholarship program covered all expenses - tuition, books, housing, allowances, and other essentials to the course. Agribiz Mason raised the needed money with its annual golf tournaments, with sponsorships from its members as well as from solicitations.

The next 2 years were challenging for Agribiz Mason. Too many issues in the industry occupied everyone’s minds, but it was business growths and expansions of farms that kept many members in their areas. The horrendous traffic situation did not help either, with members avoiding NCR; and we were entering towards the coming national elections in 2016. Meetings were held to a minimum and members got back to fellowships in their areas. And, during these times, there were just too many local and international conventions that everyone had to spend for and attend.

In one of the important meetings in 2017 at an International Convention held here, VW Chester Tan was elected to lead Agribiz Mason in the coming years. Bro Chester is a hog raiser, with farms in North Luzon and in Mindanao. And, more importantly, Bro Chester had a very good relationship among the younger generations of Agribiz Masons, in almost all sectors.

Immediately upon assuming the leadership role, VW Chester Tan distributed wheelchairs to various areas of the country where Agribiz Masons care for persons with disabilities, especially children. Bro Chester had a clear statement to the group : let us continue to strengthen our relationships even as competitors, share information we find suitable in our Viber thread, have fellowships when we can schedule such, continue to assist any Agribiz Mason in distress. And although there are no more golf tournaments or regional travels at this time , Bro Chester has a tougher time devoting much of his time in representing Agribiz Mason in various hog associations where he is Chairman, meeting with government offices to discuss policies and matters affecting the industry and supporting various cause oriented groups to benefit consumers. The year 2019 started what would be the toughest challenge for the animal health & nutrition sector, when the African Swine Fever (ASF) started to manifest in certain areas. The “perfect storm” in 2020 had the current COVID-19 Pandemic, while ASF was ravaging many parts of the Philippines.

And during these most difficult times, Bro Chester has kept in touch with the Agribiz Mason, soliciting their support to assist the hog raising industry fight ASF. The entire Agribiz Mason, up to now, has kept up the support, as our hog industry occupies a very significant share in all our businesses. Bro Chester, for his part, has stepped up on his advocacy, presenting to and debating with the government, especially the Department of Agriculture, in the current issues affecting our agribusiness industry – COVID-19, ASF, and the importation of frozen meat. In all these, the Agribiz Mason will be there to keep the support.

Agribiz Mason will continue to be a driving force in the development of the agribusiness industry. The current officers of AGRIBIZ Travelers Association Inc. are the following:

President - VW Chester Warren Yeo Tan Vice President-Internal - VW Gerard Ceballos Vice President-External - VW Giovanni Tan Secretary - VW Elmer Vitug Treasurer - WB Jun Abena, DVM Asst. Treasurer - Bro. Jayson Esguerra Auditors - VW Mano Villarica, DVM - VW Eulalio “Ayong” Lorenzo, DVM Sgt. at Arms - Bro. Nico Mariano PRO/Admin Moderator - VW Anthony Tan Adviser - MW Juanito G. Espino Jr., PGM Legal Officer - VW Atty. Kenneth Yambao Rep. Gov’t Affairs - VW Usec Ariel Cayanan

AGRIBIZ Masons observe their Group Motto to the letter: FELLOWSHIP - BUSI-