About Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU)

Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU)

The Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University formerly known as Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades is a State University in the Philippines. Its main campus is located in Bacolor, Pampanga and it's known to be the Oldest Vocational School in Far East Asia established since 1861.

Historical Background

Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) began when the Augustinian friar Fr.Juan P.Zita dreamed of helping the youth of Bacolor. Aided by benevolent civic leader Don Felino Gil, the school was officially founded on November 4, 1861 upon the approval of its statutes by Governor-General Lemery and was then called “Escuela de Artes Y Oficios de Bacolor.”

Through the several civic spirited Pampanguñeos' generous contribution amounting to P33,882.00, the school started its operations in a house charitably donated by Father Zita.

The school was named Bacolor Trade School in 1905. It was again renamed to be the Pampanga Trade School in 1909 and became popularly known as the “Trade School” or the “Poor-man’s College.” The secondary curriculum was offered in 1922 and the first batch graduated in courses of: Ironworks, Woodworks, and Building Construction for boys; and Domestic Science for girls.

By virtue of Republic Act 1388, the school was converted into a Regional School of Arts and Trades, and was renamed Pampanga School of Arts and Trades (PSAT). Technical education courses were offered in October, 1957.

In 1958, the Two-Year Technical Education curriculum was phased out and the Three-Year Trade Technical Education was offered. In 1964, the school was renamed Don Honorio Ventura Memorial School of Arts and Trades (DHVMSAT) in honor of Don Honorio Ventura, a prominent son of Bacolor who was a statesman and philanthropist. The renaming was signed by then President Diosdado Macapagal, protégé of Don Honorio Ventura who sent him to school and became instrumental in the former’s successes especially during his struggling years.

The teacher education curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education was offered in July, 1966 with the concentration in Shop work, Industrial Arts, and Mathematics. The first batch of BSIE graduates were conferred their degrees in April, 1969.

Through the priceless assistance of former Solicitor-General, Minister of Justice, and Pampanga Governor Estelito P. Mendoza, the school was converted into a state college on May 5, 1978 by virtue of Presidential Decree 1373.

One of the mandates of chartered institutions of higher learning like DHVTSU is to provide relevant quality education to its clientele, not only in the province of Pampanga but also in neighboring provinces in Central Luzon. Hence, new curricular programs like Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering were offered in response to its vision and mission of delivering quality technological education to its service sector, especially the poor and underprivileged families. In 1989, due to the need for the offering of more relevant curricula, the BSIE Program was phased out and the BSED curriculum with major in Home Economics was offered. The need of various schools for more industrial education teachers from which DHVTSU is the sole producer, prodded the College to reoffer BSIE and BSIT major in Shop Technology courses in 1992. In the expansion of graduate programs such as Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Arts in Industrial Education, Major in Administration and Supervision (MAIE) and Master of Arts in Education, Major in Educational Management (MAEd), the Doctor of Education program was offered in the second trimester of Academic Year 2002–2003 in consortium with the Bulacan State University. To provide students with a broader and stronger general education that will lay the foundation for critical and analytical thinking in all fields of specialization, the Institute of Arts and Sciences was created by virtue of Board Resolution No.4 s.2007 dated February 22, 2007. In June 2007, the following additional programs were offered: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Marketing and Economics, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts; and two ladderized programs-Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, and Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education. In the Laboratory Training Department, the Special Math and Science Program was added to the regular Basic Education Curriculum and offered initially in the AY 2007–2008.

In June 2009, the third District Pampanga Congressman Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr. committed his time and efforts to pursue House Bill No 6319, An Act Converting DHVCAT into Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University. This was co-sponsored by Junie E. Cua, Exeqiuel B. Javier, Jeus Crispin C. Remulla, Marcelino Teodoro, and Cynthia A. Villar. Senate Bill 3306 was sponsored by Senator Manuel M. Lapid in the third and final reading; and co-sponsored by Senators Edgardo J. Angara, Miguel F. Zubiri, and the Chairman for the Senate Committee on Education Mar A. Roxas. The conversion of the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades into Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) officially took effect on December 9, 2009 when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9832 at the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades, now known as the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU), Pampanga's first and only state university. At the wake of academic years 2009-2011, DHVTSU offered new courses in Bachelor in Elementary Education majors in English, Filipino, Pre-school, and Edukasyon Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.