TACLOBAN CITY - After a decade since the biggest university in the region was closed down, it will finally open this coming school in June.
This was revealed to Leyte Samar Daily Express by Rep. Remedios L. Petilla who was one among those who exerted effort for the reopening of the Divine Word University (DWU).
The university was closed in 1995 when it lost the case to the university’s labor union then headed by Gilbert Colinayo.
For 11 long years, negotiations was repeatedly made and now has bore fruits, Petilla said.
According to Petilla, a thanksgiving mass was offered yesterday for this purpose at the Sto. Niño Church attended by Catholic Church leaders from the Vatican, Papal Nuncio, Catholic priests and bishops in the region, other invited educators, public officials and others.
The DWU closure in 1995 stemmed from labor dispute between the university management, labor and teaching force. The dispute ended in a court decision in favor of the labor union which displaced 8,000 students and employees.
Its closure has also tremendously affected the economy of the city as the business establishments benefiting from the university suffered loss of income. Among these were groceries, department stores, food establishments, transportations, boarding houses, school supplies stores and many more. With DWU closure, other colleges were born such as the Asian Development Foundation, the Saint Paul’s Business School and several others.
With this reopening, Petilla said, this will bring a more lively life in the city and a more active economy which means more income for Taclobanons and revenue for the city and the region as a whole.
Clearing, repairs and renovation of the school buildings and other facilities have been programmed and will start in a few days.
