DOST secretary is 2018 VSU commencement speaker

The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Engr. Fortunato De la Peña Jr. will be gracing the 65^th Commencement Exercises of the Visayas State University as its guest of honor. A total of 1,276 graduating students will be recognized in this event to be held on June 15, 2018, at the VSU Athletic Oval.

De la Peña is a recipient of the highest Civil Service Award in the Philippines in the year 2005. Just like every Viscan, he embodies the virtue of excellence that VSU has long upheld.

A Bulaceño by birth, De la Peña attended the University of the Philippines where he finished the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in the year 1969. He also attained his Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering and Ph.D. in Business Administration in the same institution.

Engr. De la Peña played a key role in the creation and implementation of several government programs such as the Technology Business Incubation (TBI) program and the Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) program which has been supporting small enterprises since 1991.

He then assumed post as Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services of the DOST in the year 2001 which he served for 13 years, resulting in the creation of multiple projects in information technology and e-commerce.

In 2016, then newly elected Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed him as his Secretary of Science and Technology.