If being poor had the control to derail aspirations, Assistant Director Nola wouldn’t be the successful career man he is today. Alexander Nola was born on March 30, 1957 in the island of Itbayat, Batanes. He instilled hardwork and determination in starting his climb to success with a dream that gave him the strength to persevere despite poverty.
Nola studied and worked fervently hard to attain full scholarship throughout his student life. His brilliance shined early during his elementary and high school days by graduating with Honors and Salutatorian in 1971 and 1977, respectively. Under the National Integration Study Grant Program (NISGP), he took up Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at University of the East in 1983 and has passed the Civil Engineering Licensure Board Examination in 1984. He has also completed his post graduate studies with academic honors as magna cum laude, earning a degree in Master of Arts in Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Santo Tomas in 1999 under the Local Scholarship Program (LSP).
Hardly anyone, if not only a few knew that Assistant Director Nola’s truly inspiring career started when he was employed as a mere Metro Aide in the then Metro Manila Commission – Environmental Sanitation Center North Sector in 1984 until he was gradually given the opportunity to rise in a higher responsibility, notable of which when he was assigned as the Acting Payatas Dumpsite Superintendent.
In November 1989 after getting married in Batanes, charge it to fate, upon his supposed return to work, he decided to obey the dictates of his heart to stay home and be with his wife foregoing the opportunity to become the Area Manager of MMC-ESC Quezon City. This eventually led Engr. Nola to his employment in the DPWH.
The humble and unassuming Assistant Director Nola has been serving the department for 23 years now, starting as an Engineering Assistant at the DPWH Batanes in 1990. With his hardwork and dedication, he rose from the ranks to become the designated Officer-In-Charge - Assistant District Engineer (OIC-ADE) in June 2008 and became full pledged District Engineer on July 2012. On August 22, 2013, he assumed the OIC-ARD position in Region II (Cagayan Valley).
Perseverance, hardwork and outstanding performance led Alexander D. Nola to become a full-fledged Assistant Regional Director on September 10, 2014.
In addition to his government service, he has been serving the Basco Pastoral Council as President since 1998. He is also an active member of the Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Kayvaluganan, Basco, Batanes. Assistant Director Nola’s wide array of experience in his chosen field has earned recognition from various agencies and institutions. Among his reap awards and distinctions include Model Section Chief Award in 1986 and Model Employee Award in 1987 both award came from his stint in Metro Manila Commission. ARD Nola was conferred with Career Executive Service Eligibility in November 2009.
He is married to Aurea Gabotero-Nola, an employee of the Department of Justice and they are blessed with a lovely daughter named Aludia Grace.