Lawmaker’s scholars complete ladderized degrees

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -– Some 120 scholars of third district Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. recently completed their two-year ladderized courses at the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU).

The graduates received their diplomas last August 3 during their commencement program at the Hilaga Convention Center, formerly Paskuhan Village, this city.

The scholars finished courses in hotel and restaurant management, information technology, automotive technology, drafting, electricity, electronics, and graphics technology.

“These graduates are recipients of the Congressman Dong Gonzales scholarship program since they started their first year of studies at DHVTSU Mexico campus,” Ramon Navarra Jr., Gonzales' chief of staff, said in a statement.

Navarra said all those enrolled at DHVTSU Mexico are Gonzales' scholars.

The campus, he said, was re-opened in 2009 at the lawmaker's initiative. About 900 students are currently enrolled in the campus.

“Education has consistently been a top-priority of Gonzales, now the assistant majority leader in the House of Representatives, that is why he has endeavored to provide scholarship this school year to almost 30,000 students in the entire third district of Pampanga,” he said.

Gonzales, according to Navarra, has spent P100 million of his Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF) for scholarship.

“Lawmaker Gonzales, who comes from a lowly family, knows that education is the best ticket for anybody to come out of poverty and succeed in life,” Navarra said.

DHVTSU, formerly Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trade, became a state university on December 09, 2009 under Republic Act 9832 through Gonzales's initiative in Congress.

Meanwhile, in a message to his scholars, Gonzales urged to study hard to be able to help their families eventually when they become employed.

“I congratulate those who have recently graduated for their efforts and sacrifices. Now, they have a better chance of succeeding in the outside world and make a different in their families and communities,” the congressman said.

Gonzales, who is gunning for a third term in next year's elections, is the provincial chairman of the Nationalist People's Coalition, an ally of the ruling Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino III.