OFFICIALS of the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) honored Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. with a plaque of recognition for his contributions to the development of the state university.
President Enrique Baking personally presented Gonzales with a carved wooden plaque chronicling the long list of contributions of the solon from the expansion of the charter of the university; conversion into a state university; and the eventual renaming from the former Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University.
The awarding ceremony was held at the DHVSU Hostel attended by state university officials and students.
Gonzales was the primary proponent of the Republic Act 11169, which elevated the technological school into a comprehensive state university. RA 11169 amended RA 9832, which had converted the Don Honorio Ventura School of Arts and Trade into the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University.
Gonzales who was also behind RA 9832, said the new law will allow the university to offer additional courses in the liberal arts, medical and allied medical fields on top of those allowed under RA 9832.
Baking said that the building projects facilitated through Gonzales, along with the long number of scholars and the revitalization of the Mexico Campus had made the state university on a better footing than before.
Baking said that DHVSU will always be grateful for Gonzales for being the ever supportive “Father of the University.”