Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL) - Featured Schools

Philippine Schools Online Directory - Featured Schools - School Profiles
HOME - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Submit your school / Alumni website

Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL)
March 2008

Witness to the Word in the world of excellence…

The history of Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL) history inspires many, her origin seals her with sterling nobility, and her development raises her to the pedestal of excellence.

DWCL was first known as Liceo de Albay (LDA), a parochial school for boys founded in 1947 by Rev. Fr. Juan Carullo, a retired army chaplain. The members of LDA’s board of trustees were, Fr. Msgr. Justiniano Romano, Fr. Alfonso Molina, Fr. William Rehente and Fr. Rustico Burce.

In 1952, Liceo de Albay was ravaged by the typhoon Trix, bringing down the school into ruins. To save the school from the imminent closure, the bishop of the Diocese of Legazpi, Most Reverend Flaviano B. Ariola, D.D. offered Liceo de Albay to the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) congregation.

Fr. Joseph L. Bates, SVD, negotiated for the lease of the institution’s building and lot. He left Holy Name Academy in Bohol to direct the administration of the new school together with Fr. Florante S. Camacho, SVD. Liceo de Albay was then named Divine Word High School (DWHS) in 1960. With a new image, DWHS upheld its exclusive education for boys with the aid of Msgr. Nestor C. Cariño and Msgr. Honesto A. Moraleda, then diocesan priests in its management.

In 1965, with the institution of college courses in the Liberal Arts, Commerce, Education and Secretarial departments, the school’s status was elevated to a tertiary level as Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL).

In 1971, in consortium with St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Tabaco, Albay, DWCL offered the AB Philosophy program. Aware of the need for additional services in secondary basic education, the school went co-educational. The Night School was also opened for working students.

New building, more courses

Anticipating the growing population of the school children in all levels, Fr. Bates bought five hectares of land at Washington Drive, Legazpi City from Atty. Juan Imperial. A three-storey building accommodated the transfer of the basic education department in 1977.

However, the said transfer was not an easy task. The construction of the three-story building required a great deal of concerted efforts. Rev.Fr. Bates had to ask for financial assistance from his friends abroad.

The DWCL community truly was hands-on the in the said endeavor with parents, teachers, and students extending their hands to aid in the construction.

In the succeeding years, DWCL opened up new course offerings to answer the growing needs of the region. The institution also produced a good number of national topnotch in the Civil Engineering board examination, Junior Geodetic Engineering board examination, CPA Licensure examination and Registered Master Electrician board examinon.

Now, on its 47th year, DWCL is now en route towards becoming a university. DWCL is undergoing accreditation by the PAASCU to assure quality education, service and facilities.

Though, DWCL started from the spoils of a typhoon, she continues to rise and reach the skies. And consistent with her motto, “Duc in Altum” (Aim High), DWCL promises to incessantly strive for excellence, professionalism and service. (Franco Allan P. Jimena and Patrick Dave D. Peralta)

Soon a university

For the past 47 years, DWCL) has been providing quality education to the residents of Albay and its neighboring provinces. It continues its noble work of educating young minds, as it aims to achieve university-hood.

Pursuant to its goal, DWCL is now a (Philippine Association Accredited Schools, Colleges, and Universities) PAASCU- Level Two accredited college. Recently, it was visited by PAASCU accreditors for a resurvey of the programs offered by the school.

“It is showing to our student and to the people that we are a school characterized by a higher level of quality and excellence,” remarked Dr. Gregoria Ad. A. Benosa, vice president for academic affairs.

The DWCL community works hand in hand in improving its status as an academic organization.

Having been extolled as the first to implement an online enrolment system in Bicol region, DWCL is still in continued search for technological innovations to equip its apprentices with quality service and education.

Various school facilities and laboratories were upgraded which include the state-of-the-art audio visual hall, air conditioned classrooms and laboratories, and the wi-fi connection available in the campus. The school’s humble beginnings have conquered every complexity encountered and that is very evident in the facilities the school is offering its learners. Certifiably, it was all a matter of turning dross to gold.

DWCL continues to enhance not only the tangible aspects of its existence but also the quality of instruction. The institution pursues to present more innovative steps to be able to meet the challenges of the future. Consistent with its motto, Duc In Altum, the school aims high and works hard to sustain or even exceed what it has achieved.

At present, DWCL is headed by Fr. Francisco Estepa, SVD, president, who acts as the chief executive officer.

Other officers include Fr. Alejandro Gobenciong, SVD, vice president for finance and administration, and the Dr. Gregoria Ad A. Benosa, vice president for academic affairs.

As a Catholic school, DWCL is committed to enhance religious services to the community and that responsibility is given to the campus chaplain.

Since the administration’s objective is to ensure the efficient supervision of the school, competent deans were assigned to look after each department.

The College of Business Education is under Dr. Jean dela Torre, CPA while Engr. Martin Valeras is the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Studies.

Dr. Victor Belgica, Melaine Espinosa and Fr. Nestor Sibug, SVD, oversee the Colleges of Education, Nursing and Arts and Sciences, respectively.

Unique on-the-job (OJT) training programs are also instituted. Students are sent to countries such as Singapore and United States of America to further extend one’s job experience.

These OJT programs are specially given to the students of the College of Business Education, hile other departments have designed the same level of empowerment for its learners.

The school also provides job opportunities to those who are in need of one by placing information and conducting job fairs on the campus itself.

The Society of Divine Word recognizes the need for quality and professionalism in every aspect of its academe. Thus, its entire works are geared towards establishing a culture of excellence. (Rhea Ramirez and Hazel del Rosario)

Holistically Structured

DWCL structured its programs in response to the needs of the region and the country.

The following are the courses offered by the school as its humble way of preparing the future of the youth:

College of Business Education (CBE). This is what DWCL is mostly known for and is dubbed as the “Best Business School in Albay” created by the merger of the former colleges of Accountancy and Commerce. The programs offered by the college are: Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA), Management and Accountancy (BSMA), Business Administration (BSBA) majors in Legal Management and Marketing; Commerce (BSC) majors in Banking and Finance, Entrepreneurship and Management; Hospitality Management (BSHM), Office Administration (BSOA), and a two-year course in Accounting Aide (AA).

The programs are structured to meet the needs of certified public accountants (CPA’s), managers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, administrators, bankers and the like, and develop the proper business ethics, responsibility and efficiency in them.

College of Engineering and Computer Studies (COECS). This college produces board passers for the civil engineering and, recently, electrical engineering board examinations. Courses offered are Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Computer Science (BSCS) and Information Technology (BSIT).

College of Education (COE). Programs offered are Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED), Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) majors in English, Filipino, Mathematics, Social Studies and MAPEH, and also non-degree courses in Certificate in Teaching and Certificate in SPED.

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), This college provides different programs to provide fundamental liberal arts and science degrees to the youth. Courses offered are Bachelor of Arts in Economics (AB Econ), Political Science (AB Pol Sci) English Language (AB English), and recently, Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS Psych), Biology (BS Bio) and Mathematics (BS Math). The programs are designed to meet the needs of professionals ranging from economists, public servants and writers to psychologists, biologists and statisticians and to whatever profession related to the said courses.

College of Nursing (CON). The youngest of the school’s colleges, it is the fastest growing department of DWCL. As the demand for nurses here and abroad is rising, the school established the college to train highly-competitive nurses in a competitive global arena. The degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is structured to meet the needs of nurses and aims to develop their effectiveness, efficiency and versatility.

Graduate School of Business and Management (GSBM). A part of the CBE, this segment of DWCL provides post-graduate studies with degrees in Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master in Public Administration (MPA). These programs are structured to enhance further the knowledge and expertise of graduates aiming for higher positions in their fields.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online