Former head of La Salle, also ex-chair of CHEd, dies

BACOLOD CITY—The former head of thee De La Salle University System and chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) on Wednesday died after nearly a 10-year battle with colon cancer.

Bro. Rolando Dizon, 64, and a La Salle brother, was with family and friends when he died past 7 p.m. inside his room at the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

“We thank everybody who have been praying with us for Brother Rolly,” said former Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Dizon, who was CHEd chair from 2003 to 2004,  was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003 and underwent surgery in Houston, Texas, said Puentevella, Dizon’s brother-in-law.

Last month, Puentevella said his brother-in-law underwent further surgery to try to fight the cancer.

He added that Dizon had been declared brain dead since Tuesday night. His family and friends were with him when he died, Puentevella said.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra expressed his condolences to the family of Dizon who, he said, “died as a good and faithful Christian Brother true to his sacred vows and commitments in life.”

“May he now intercede for us before the throne of our Heavenly Father. As I offer Mass for his blessed soul, I also pray for his bereaved family that the Good Lord will console them in their hour of bereavement. May his soul rest in peace,” the bishop said.

Dizon, a native of Bacolod City, was a member of the Consultative Commission on Charter Change in 2005 and president of De La Salle University-Manila and the De La Salle University System (1998-2003).

He was cofounder of the National Movement for Free Elections. He also served as president of the University of St. La Salle, Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association in Bacolod and the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, Puentevella said.