The 1982 PVMA Constitution and By-Laws established the Executive Council. Presidents of local chapters constituted the Executive Council which was advisory to the Board on matters relevant to the efficient performance of the association. They were allowed to sit in the Board Meetings and participate in its deliberation but without the right to vote. Unfortunately this was not fully realized since the out of town participants could not be present in all occasions. Even in annual meetings the presence of the local executives was wanting. Furthermore the interpretation of representation limited the participation only to presidents and not any official representative of the chapter. The PVMA Constitution and By-Laws was amended in 1997 replacing the Executive Council with a consultative body, the House of Delegates for a broader representative group. Basically, it facilitated sectoral and geographic participation. These included Councils, Chapters, Affiliates and veterinary related groups. The Councils were made out of the Council on Animal Welfare, the Council of Biologics and Therapeutic Agents, the Council on Continuing Professional Education, the Council on Ethics, and the Council on Legislation. The oldest Council, the Council on Ethics was conceptualized and formed in 1977. All councils have a membership of five elected members with a term of office of five years each. However they had a staggered term of five years so that one member of each council is elected each year. It is run by a Chairman and Vice Chairman and Secretary who are elected by its members every two years. The chapters and affiliates and other groups are represented by their officially designated representative; this may be the president or official or any member of the agroupation officially designated by the Officers and Board of Directors of their respective group. The members of the Board of Directors and officers of the PVMA also seat in the House of Delegates quarterly meetings. A Speaker of the House, a Speaker Pro Tempore and a Secretary, which serve for a period of 1 year are elected from among the Delegates every PVMA Annual Convention. This body may approve resolutions wshich are presented to the Board of Directors for their appropriate action. This assembly gives chapters, affiliates and cooperating agencies, both geographical and sectoral agroupations direct representation to the governing board. Unfortunately this is not fully utilized by many perhaps because of none familiarity to the system and cost for travel.
Current House Of Delegates
DR. EDNA ZENAIDA V. VILLACORTE – SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
DR. CAROLYN ANNE C. BENIGNO – SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
DR. MICHAEL VALDUIN G. BANAWA – SECRETARY