SCHOOLS

Brief History of the City Schools Division of Tagum

     As an offshoot to the Cityhood of Tagum wayback in March 7, 1997, a popular clamor to have a separate Schools Division of Tagum City came into picture.

     Series of consultations and feeling the pulse of the Tagumeños were made in order to realize the popular demand of establishing the City Division of Tagum.

     It took almost six years when finally the dream turned into a reality. Congressman Arrel R. Olaño, CPA, MBA, MPA sponsored House Bill 5353, an act amending Republic Act 8472, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Tagum Incorporating therein the provision, City School Division Office.

     The Honorable Secretary Edilberto C. de Jesus of the Department of Education issued DepEd Order No. 50 series of 2002; the establishment of Interim City Schools Division throughout the country.

     Tagum City with more than 1,000 teachers in the elementary and secondary schools has been included among the 18 new schools division offices in various DepEd in other regions of the country.

     Congressman Olaño supported the move by sponsoring House Bill 5353 while the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagum presided by Vice Mayor Gerardo R. Racho Jr. and spearheaded by SP Member Allan L. Rellon, MPA, Chairman of the Committee on Education fully supported the passage of the bill by sponsoring SP Resolution No. 835, s-2003 which contained the statement of support.

     It was approved by Mayor Gelacio P. Gementiza who gave his all-out support and even offered portion of the school building being constructed at the Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School as its Division Office.

     Schools Division Superintendent Gloria P. Labor Ed.D., CESO V of the Division of Davao del Norte and DepEd XI Regional Director Diamar P. Kadon, CESO III interposed no objections to the move and had given their hundred percent support to the establishment of the City Division of Tagum.

     The rest was history.

     To fill the working force of the new schools division and to help the incumbent superintendent, Dr. Labor, the following persons were appointed: Mr. Allan Kadon as Administrative Officer, Mrs. Esterlina Batingal as HRMO, Mrs. Elisa Castillo as Supply Officer, Ms. Cora Torrejano as Accountant, Ms. Roxanne Cruz as Planning Officer, Mrs. De Veyra as Cashier and Mr. Acebes as Clerk.

     On June 3, 2003, after they were screened by the Division Selection Board headed by Mrs. Erlinda Loria, Chairman, the following are appointed as Learning Area Coordinators: Mrs. Antonia B. Bugna, Araling Panlipunan; Mrs. Mayumi M. Pinzon, Filipino; Engr. Ambrosio Ayuban, Mathematics; Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, English; Mrs. Consesa Lanoy, Science; Ms Jeselyn Dela Cuesta, MAPEH, Mrs. Alpha Palconit, TLE and Ms Priscilla C. Aguillon, Guidance and Values Education

     Now, Mrs. Nenita E. Lumaad will finally assume office as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Officer In-Charge, the City Division of Tagum will strive to live to the expectation as a productive swan laying golden eggs.

     To God be the Glory.

By: Lorenzo E. Mendoza, Division English Coordinator