WHO IS FERNANDO VALLEJO GONZALEZ?

In 2006 I wrote a biographical sketch of (now) Albay's Third District Congressman Dr. Fernando V. Gonzalez which appeared in the Solemn Investiture Program of Aquinas University of Legazpi. Aquinas University of Legazpi conferred on him an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities on April 8, 2006 at the AQ Dome, AUL, Rawis, Legazpi City. I am including this in my blog for the information of those who would like to know more about Dr. Gonzalez. 

FERNANDO VALLEJO GONZALEZ

Fernando Vallejo Gonzalez is the incumbent representative of the Third District of Albay to the Philippine Congress, House of Representatives. He is a self-made man, a born leader, a champion of the poor and the disadvantaged, a patron of education and culture.

Born to a devoutly Catholic parents, Francisco Vega Gonzalez and Josefa Vallejo, on September 11, 1940. He grew up in barangay Tuburan in Ligao town which, under his watch as mayor, would become Albay's third city, six decades later.

IN PIO DURAN PORT. Cong. Dr. Fernando Gonzalez (right)  showing
 potential port users the benefits of using either the Pio Duran Port
or the Pantao Port in his district.

Don Fernando, as he is fondly addressed, had his primary grades at the Binatagan Elementary School and completed his elementary education in St. Stephen's Academy, both in Ligao City. He pursued his secondary education at the Legazpi College, Legazpi City, precursor of Aquinas University of Legazpi.

He supported himself through high school working as a purchasing agent and as a warehouse manager at Elizalde Rope Factory in Albay/Sorsogon. At that young age he got exposed to stevedoring operations at the "pantalans" of Legazpi Port. That exposure would be providential; it opened to him a most fulfilling career path.

While in college, he was hired as a flight attendant of the Philippine Airlines. Two years later, Luzon Stevedoring Company (Lusteveco) employed him. What he missed in college he amply made up in the real world. In Lusteveco, he managed the Lighterage Department. He worked long hours with a pronounced dedication to the welfare of his workers. He had the distinction as Lighterage Manager, the biggest tug and barging company in the world at that time. When Martial Law was declared (by Ferdinand Marcos), the powers-that-be appropriated Lusteveco. He resigned and founded his own company, Island Integrated offshore Services, with a cousin for an employee and a driver who had worked with him for forty years. With his skills in management and expertise in port operations developed through experience, his enterprise built a reputation for reliability and honesty. It flourished.

In 1977, he was hired as director for operations in the Islamic Port of Jeddah for the Philippine-Singapore Ports Corporation. Concurrently, he became consultant of the Chiva Ports Harbors' Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Damman Port. In 1987 he returned to the Philippines and set up the Ports and Harbors Terminal Cargo Handling Services. In 1990 he established his Adriatico Arms Hotel in Malate, Manila.

Don Fernando made an unplanned leap into politics upon the request of his brother Franciso, who was then at the throes of death. He ran for mayor of Ligao town, won and held the post for three consecutive terms, from 1995-2004. Ligao, which was a third class municipality, would progress to being second class under his leadership. It was enjoying the benefits of a first class town when on March 24, 2001, through his efforts, Ligao became a city.

He was elected as Governor of the Province of Albay on May 10, 2004. As governor, he came up with programs for other municipalities where his development thrusts in Ligao could be replicated. He cultivated and nurtured partnership with institutions and non-government organizations to help him with his development agenda. For one, Aquinas University of Legazpi worked with the Provincial Government on the Provincial Water Resources Management Project (PWRMP) launched in November 2004.

Cognizant of the rich and historical value of the Hispanic architectural heritage of the province, he launched, also a collaboration with Aquinas University of Legazpi and the Instituto de Cervantes, the Cultural Office of the Spanish Government in the Philippines, the Albay Architectural Heritage Project. He is keen at preserving these historical heritage sites not only for posterity or for appreciation by present and future generations, but also for the improvement of the economic lot of those who live in the vicinity of these sites through tourism. The project is seen to result to the preservation and eventual restoration of identified heritage sites.

His ability to find value in the past makes him exceptionally keen in understanding the promise of the future.