Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Western Visayas State University (WVSU) after the Malacanang official attended the inauguration of the school’s rehabilitated cultural center.
WVSU’s Board, led by University President Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr. awarded the title “Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa” on the Cabinet Secretary.
“Free college education has always been among the priority programs of the current administration.”
According to the institution, the degree was awarded “to give respect, acknowledgment and recognition to worthy Filipinos who are instrumental in bringing forth progress.”
The awarding was witnessed by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) head Prospero De Vera, various school officials, school faculty, students and other guests.
In his acceptance speech, Nograles thanked the university and its board for the “singular honor of being recognized for my work in government,” adding that WVSU was one of the respected educational institutions in the region fully capable of producing professionals who were leaders in their respective fields.
WVSU likewise expressed its gratitude to Nograles for being instrumental in sourcing and providing funds for the rehabilitation of the school’s cultural center.
“I will do everything in my power to deserve this commendation and recognition.”
For his part, Nograles said that “It’s heartening to see the fulfillment of a project we promised during the time when we were still in Congress.”
The Malacanang official added he shares the view of President Rodrigo Duterte that higher education played a significant role in the country’s economic development, particularly in the generation of jobs and in improving people’s livelihood.
“Free college education has always been among the priority programs of the current administration. It’s an investment in our country’s future. That’s why when I was Chairperson of the Appropriations Committee at the House of Representatives, I ensured that our state colleges and universities received sufficient funds for their operations,” Nograles emphasized.
The Cabinet Secretary praised WVSU President Sorolla, Jr. for the latter’s long years of dedicated service to the university, to Iloilo, the region and to the whole country.
“During Dr. Sorolla’s term, he implemented and accomplished many landmark programs that will forever be part of the University. His legacy is assured in the memories of the faculty, staff, students as well as WVSU’s thousands of graduates.”
Nograles ended by noting that the conferred honorary doctorate degree was a great honor, especially coming from such an esteemed educational institution in Western Visayas.
“I will do everything in my power to deserve this commendation and recognition, and to live up to the ideals of excellence embodied by Western Visayas State University.”