FATED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL VBAIT

Eduardo M. dela Cruz, Jr. of San Miguel, Bulacan is a graduate of Bulacan State University (BSU) with the degree Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1997. He worked as a para veterinarian for an RP-German project based in BSU from 1998 to 2001.

He also worked as animal health technician in Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2006.

After his stint abroad, he went back to his native land and not long after learned about the AI Program of PCC. He then decided to undergo training on Basic AI and Pregnancy Diagnosis in Water Buffaloes.

After his training, he became an active VBAIT covering the nearby towns in Bulacan including a city in Nueva Ecija and in Tarlac. Currently, he has 400 farmer-clients who own buffaloes being submitted to AI.

Throughout the years of practicing his career as VBAIT, Eduardo was recognized as “Outstanding VBAIT” in 2014 by PCC. It was for him a special event in his life considering that there are many other VBAITs like him. It seemed, he said, that fate has decided for him that being a VBAIT would be his lifelong livelihood.

He said his experience in rendering AI services gives him immense joy knowing that the animals will get pregnant and will soon be giving income to the farmers.

He describes the AI program as a sustainable source of income as proven by the improved life that they are now living as a family compared to the years he spent as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).

He revealed that he is earning an average monthly income of Php30,000 as a VBAIT. With his earnings, he already had their house improved and they are able to purchase two motorcycles and other vehicles.

Eduardo said the key to being an effective VBAIT is hard work and establishing good relationships with his farmer-clients. He said he found it interesting that while farmers need his services, they are actually helping him meet his. His customer-focused attitude has rewarded him a network of satisfied and loyal clients who, in many instances, give him gifts in kind aside from paying him in cash.

For clients who cannot afford to pay him right away, he is lenient enough to wait for payment up to when they could.

Eduardo is married to Elena with whom he has three children who are all studying. He said his wife understands the nature of his job and appreciates it very much. In fact, Elena easily pardons him for not being able to attend some family ocassions.

“I am almost always on-call by clients but I know that this tells a lot about how my skills and even friendship are valued by them. This job never fails to inspire me and keeps me determined to do even better,” Eduardo said.