Western Institute of Technology

[EduCativ]

Western Institute of Technology (W.I.T.) was organized in 1964 to establish an Engineering school to serve the growing human resources needs of Western Visayas. This dream became a reality with the sacrifices and determination of the organizers, their steadfast friends, and the first group of students who believed in the dream and looked forward to the challenge of putting the new School's name on the map.
W.I.T. has produced some of the country's foremost talents and thinkers who occupy meaningful posts and stations in the public and private sectors. She continues her noble commitment to train and teach well so that our nation will benefit from the educational excellence she offers. Her alumni present a strong profile as they enhance the development and growth of Region VI and the nation as a whole. They attest to the School's commitment to providing a well-trained, competent workforce and professional leadership with integrity.
Since 1964, years of productive endeavors resulted in a long list of alumni who have done well for the growth of Iloilo and the global community.
The success of the Western Institute of Technology can be gauged by the graduates who stand out in competition among graduates of other schools along their lines of specialization. Having produced more than 200 topnotchers in the different licensure examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission is a feat that placed W.I.T. among the country's top engineering schools – formidable accomplishments, indeed. Sometime in the early part of 1953, the faculty members under the leadership of Dean Retogo A. Aldeguer of the College of Engineering of the former Iloilo City Colleges (I.C.C.) – now University of Iloilo-PHINMA – signed an agreement with the Comptroller of said School to take over the management of the I.C.C. College of Engineering which was then offering Civil and Mechanical Engineering courses. Engr represented the faculty members. Rego A. Aldeguer as the Dean and Engr. Ricardo T. Salas as the Assistant Dean. The agreement would be for five (5) years, subject to renewal for another five (5) years, at both parties' options. After the first five (5) years had elapsed, the agreement was renewed for another five (5) years. When the second term was about to expire, the school administration of I.C.C. turned down the renewal because the School was applying for university status.
For ten (10) years while the agreement was in force, the group developed so close a relationship and fellowship among themselves that the imminent parting of ways was unacceptable. And so, the plan to put up a school of their own was born.
During the early stage of planning, their biggest problem was lack of finances. Engr. Ricardo T. Salas pooled together the resources of family and friends, and the group was able to raise P200,000.00. Under his leadership, they then formed a stock corporation. This was named the Western Institute of Technology of the Philippines, Incorporated, with an authorized capitalization of P500,000.00 and a paid-up capital of P75,000.00. The Corporation was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1962 with the following incorporators and stockholders, now referred to as the "Organizers of W.I.T."
Iloilo Rizal College was then offering Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Associate in Secretarial Science, and High School, all of which were given recognition by the Department of Education. The new leadership converted the School to a technological institution and offered engineering courses and chemistry. For this purpose, the following definite steps were taken:
Changed the name of the School from Iloilo Rizal College to Western Institute of Technology and amended the name of the Corporation from Panay Educational Institutions, Inc. to Western Institute of Technology, Inc. The name change required the shortening of the corporate life of the previously formed Western Institute of Technology of the Philippines, Inc. Submitted a petition to the Bureau of Private Schools to offer complete degree courses in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and the first two (2) years of the B.S. Chemistry course Increased the authorized capitalization from P200,000.00 to P1,000,000.00 to finance the construction of buildings and laboratories and the purchase of the necessary engineering equipment, apparatuses, and library books Changed the name of the Board of Directors to Board of Trustees and increased its membership from five (5) to ten (10) Changed the titles President and Vice President to Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, to distinguish them from the President and Vice President of the School Paid in full the balance of the lot purchased from C.N. Hodges. The construction of classrooms and laboratories, which were prepared by Architect Luis J. Dichupa, proceeded under Engr's supervision. Ricardo T. Salas, with the able assistance of Mr. Tomas S. Tolentino, procured the needed building materials. To save on the cost of cement and reinforcement steel bars, these materials, which were bought for the renovation of River Queen Hotel, formerly the "Ledesma Hotel," were used for the School. This resulted in savings for the School since they were obtained earlier at a lesser cost.
The necessary laboratory equipment, apparatuses, and library books were purchased. Equipment and laboratory apparatuses that were not available in the market were manufactured in our shop. To facilitate the work, the group readily accepted Mr. Leon Sollezato to sell to the Corporation his machine shop tools and equipment, which he brought to Iloilo from Mindanao. He invested the proceeds of the sale as shares of stock in the Corporation. Because of his proficiency in machine shop practice, Mr. Solleza was appointed Shop Superintendent.

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