Jose Alvarez (Filipino politician)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Chaves and the surname or paternal family name is Alvarez.

Jose Chaves Alvarez (born June 29, 1944), known by initials JCA, is a Filipino businessman and politician from the province of Palawan, Philippines who is serving as the representative of Palawan's 2nd congressional district since 2022. He previously served as the Governor of the province from 2013 to 2022.^[1][2][3]

The Honorable Jose Alvarez
Official portrait, 2025
Member of the House of Representatives from Palawan's 2nd District
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Beng Abueg
23rd Governor of Palawan
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022
Vice Governor	Victorino Dennis Socrates
Preceded by	Abraham Mitra
Succeeded by	Victorino Dennis Socrates
President of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino
In office September 29, 2022 – July 24, 2024
Preceded by	Alfonso Cusi
Succeeded by	Robin Padilla
Personal details
Born	Jose Chaves Alvarez (1944-06-29) June 29, 1944 (age 81) Kidapawan, Cotabato, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Political party	NPC (until 2015; 2024-present)
Other political affiliations	PDP (2018–2024) PPPL (2018–2021) Liberal (2015–2018)
Spouse	Norma Roa Alvarez
Alma mater	Cebu Institute of Technology Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (BA)
Occupation	Politician

Early life and education

Jose Alvarez was born on June 29, 1944 in Kidapawan to Engr. Tomas Alvarez and Lilia Alvarez. At the age of six, he started his education at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Davao University. He then pursued his secondary education at San Nicholas College, now St. Paul University Surigao, and finished the same in 1960.

When he was 16 years old, Alvarez took Chemical Engineering at Cebu Institute of Technology – University. But due to financial constraints, he was forced to transfer to Xavier University and enroll in Liberal Arts. Because he wanted to help his family and avoid becoming a burden to his parents, the young Jose financed his university education by working as a collector in an insurance agency. Through his own perseverance and skills, he was able to graduate from college in 1964.

Business career

After his graduation, Alvarez ventured into a small used-car trading business in Cagayan de Oro. In 1969, he was able to expand his business to Mandaue. In 1970, he was presented an opportunity to start a logging business in Indonesia and immediately grabbed the same. He stayed in the forests of Indonesia for seven years, before returning to the province of Palawan.^[4][5] He also own the Terrafirma Dyip that currently plays in the Philippine Basketball Association.