From Dreams to Nation-Building: DA-8 Director inspires VSU Villaba Graduates to transform agriculture and rural communities

To our ever dynamic and visionary University President, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes; Chancellor Bon Anthony Costillas of VSU Villaba Campus; equally respected Vice Presidents, Deans of Colleges, and other university heads, to the proud parents, and of course, our dear graduates, a pleasant afternoon! 

It is indeed a rewarding day as I can see the eyes of our graduates, beaming with happiness. You have finally reaped what you sowed and now you are all geared up for another chapter of your lives.

Truly, a lot has changed in the agri-fishery and natural resources landscape in the country.

However, one thing remains: the call for food resiliency has always been of paramount importance, to address a responsive and inclusive sector in the country.

To ensure that there is available, affordable and safe food for every Filipino table, amid emerging realities and challenges in the sector such as the irreversible climate change, threats to crop and animal diseases, and the impact of international war on the sector, among others.

Today, we celebrate not only your academic achievements but also the promise you carry for our nation's future.

Agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources are not merely fields of study.

They are lifelines of our communities, the backbone of food security, and the guardians of our environment.

We, at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 (DA RFO), salute the Visayas State University for pushing for innovations in the agri-fishery sector, with the myriad of projects and interventions that are also aimed at improving the lives of our farmers and fisherfolk.

We have several partnerships through our collaborative projects, and these must continue until we attain a food-secure country, and we take pride in sustaining these collaborative undertakings.

I once used to dream for change to come, and I wanted to be one of those that will bring change in our society.

I know what it feels like to have nothing.

Growing up in a quiet neighborhood in Eastern Samar, I did not have much: no abundance of wealth, no easy path laid out before me.

However, what I had were dreams and the unwavering belief that education could change my life.

In fact, there were days when the road seemed too steep and the challenges felt heavier than my strength.

But each obstacle became a lesson.

Each setback was a reminder that success is not measured by what we start with, but by how far we are willing to go.

So I pursued my government career and have been working to create better lives for our farmers in the countryside.

Knowing that our country abounds with agricultural resources, it is my dream that soon all the hard work and dedication of our authorities, including those in the agricultural and environmental field, will pay off having attained food security and sufficiency in our country.

Yes, my work has not been easy.

I eased through a lot of struggles and made sacrifices.

Yet it fulfills me looking at the trace where my passion has led me.

On this day, we honor your perseverance, your sacrifices, and your dreams.

May you continue to walk with courage, humility, and purpose.

May your journey remind us that the true wealth of a nation lies not in its gold or power, but in the strength of its fields, waters, and people.

So, to our dear graduates, as you step into a world facing challenges such as climate change, dwindling resources, and the need for sustainable livelihoods, it is our hope that you step into a world of opportunity.

With the knowledge, skills, and values you have gained here, you are equipped to innovate, lead, and serve.

Please remember that every seed you plant, every fishpond you nurture, every forest you protect, is more than an act of livelihood.

It is an act of nation-building.

You are not just graduates.

You are stewards of life, champions of sustainability, and advocates for rural progress.

As you leave these halls, carry with you the spirit of service and resilience.

Let your work uplift farmers, empower fisherfolk, and safeguard our natural heritage.

Let your voices be heard in shaping policies, advancing technologies, and inspiring communities.

So remember, our beginnings do not define our endings.

We are proof that hope, hard work, and faith can transform scarcity into abundance, and dreams into reality.

We might be facing a lot of challenges right now, but time and again, let me say that our region, Eastern Visayas, has so many resources and talents.

And you, our dear graduates, are the key to unlocking the potential of our region.

Once again, congratulations, Class of 2026!

The future of agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources are now in your hands.

Mabuhay!

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 13: Climate Action; and SDG 15: Life on Land.

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