Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

(by: Mrs. Merilyn Marba-Gonzaga)

 

 

  Listen! Wisdom is calling out,

Reason is making herself heard

On the hilltops near the road

And at the crossroads she stands . . .

 

“… I am Wisdom, I am better than jewels

Nothing you want can compare Me

I am Wisdom, and I have the insight;

I have knowledge and sound judgment.”

                                                                                                                                         Proverbs 8:1-12

 

             Wisdom’s call has not been in vain. Many have received the message and answered her call. Through the years, awards have been reaped; accolades have been received; programs and projects have been accomplished; thousands of lives have been touched.

   

            When a teacher or an administrator fondly thinks of the Division of Bago City, he/she can’t help but reminisce the past for one has been a part of its existence. Like a young parent, he/she has seen how it was conceived, watched it born and nurtured by loving and capable hands.

 

The PAST

             Prior to its creation as a division, it has been a part of the Division of Negros Occidental. That time, it has only 2 districts namely: District I composed of 19 elementary schools with 294 teachers under the supervision of Mrs. Juana M. Aggabao, and District II with 15 schools and 245 teachers headed by Mrs. Josefina Alabado.

            There was only one high school, the Bago City High School under Miss Elisa Dreyfus.

            With its rapid growth and expansion in terms of population and facilities, the Division of Bago City was created to serve the educational needs of the growing populace not only of the city but of the neighboring towns and barangays as well.

            Thus, the Division of Bago City was born on September 8, 1975 amidst the jubilation and warm welcome from administrators, teachers, government, officials, parents and students.

            The first division office was held in a building known today as the division clinic. Superintendent Telesforo Lina assumed office as the first Division Superintendent, Mr. Archimedes Besa was named School Administrative Officer I.

            The Secretary of Education that year was the Hon. Juan L. Manuel; the Regional Director was Dir. Antonio Tanchuan CESO II.

            More districts were created headed by the different District Supervisors:

            District I was headed by Mr. Roberto P. Villacruz manning 10 schools. During this period, Calumangan Elementary School was the central school, later, it was transferred to J.L Elementary School (Mr. Villacruz is still the District Supervisor.)

            At present, District I has 10 elementary schools with Mr. Victorino Pailano as the OIC District Supervisor.

            District II was supervised by Mrs. Flor Bañas heading 7 schools. Balingasag Primary was created in 1993.  Presently , Miss Mercedita Gecosala is the District Supervisor handling 9 elementary schools.

            District III was composed of 8 elementary schools headed by Mrs. Veronica Martir. At present, Elenita C. Jolito, Ph.D. is the District Supervisor managing 9 schools.

            District IV was under Mr. Hernane Insuelo acting as the Principal In-charge with 11 schools under his jurisdiction. P.F. Elizalde Elementary School was created in 1984. Mr. Rutchillo J. Ducay is now the District Supervisor.

            In 1975, there was only one existing secondary school, Bago City High School headed by Miss Ninfa T. Jardinico, who took the reign from Miss Elisa Dreyfrus, who was promoted General Education Supervisor for English. The school was later named Ramon Torres National High School on July 1983 through BP #411.

            In 1982, six extension  high  schools were created in the different barangays namely:  Ma-ao Sugar Central, Dulao, Malingin, Sagasa, Louisiana and Taloc.

            Schools were under Teachers-In-charge under the supervision of a Principal, Miss Ninfa T. Jardinico and later Miss Heidi M. Estandarte, who assumed office in 1993.

            In 2000, all secondary schools were nationalized and became independent from the main high school. Later, these extension high schools were converted into newly nationalized high schools with their own respective principals.

            There have been up to the present 9 Superintendents and 7 Assistant – Superintendents, who shared their managerial skills and expertise and took turn in molding and shaping the future of the division. Each has his/her stories to tell in making the Division of Bago City what it is today.

           

The Superintendents

        Telesforo Lina                                          - September 8, 1975 – 1980

        Manuel Taglorin                                        - 1980 – 1983

        Atty. Marcelo Jalandoon                             - July 1983 – 1985

        Estrella Navales                                        - December 1985 – September 1989

        Teresita Dayot                                          - September 1989 – 1994

        Teodosio Borres                                        - July 25, 1994 – July 1996

        Emolyn Corteza                                         - July 1996 – June 1998

        Milagros S. Gonzales                                  - June 1998 – 1999

        Alberto A.  Febrero                                     - September 30, 1999 – November 24, 2006

        Dr. Juliet A. Jeruta                                      - OIC - Nov. 25, 2006 – Aug. 7, 2006

        Mrs. Mildred L. Garay                                  - August 8, 2006 – April 7, 2008

        Mrs. Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma                      - April 8, 2008 – November 3, 2009

        Milagros S. Gonzales, Ph.D.                         - November 3, 2009 - Present

             

 The Assistant Superintendents

        Atty. Marcelo C. Jalandoon                           - July 1977 – August 1980

        Rosario J. De Guzman                                 - 1982 – 1985

        Jesusa Reyes                                             - 1985 – 1989

        Emolyn Corteza, Ph. D.                                - October 1991 – July 1996

        Milagros Gonzales                                       - 1996 – 1998

        Lolita Ditchon                                              - 1998 – January 2000

        Luisito J. Escalona, Ph.D.                              - February 2000-May 14, 2003

        Dr. Juliet A. Jeruta, Ph.D.                              - May 15, 2003 – December 22, 2008

        Portia Mallorca, Ph.D.                                   - May 15, 2009 - present

 

Subject Supervisors

               English                                   Physical Education School Sports (PESS)

1.        1. Elisa T. Dreyfus                                               1. Feleciano Denila

2.        2. Betty Sedonio                                                 2.Unidy Espartero

3.        3. Fe V. Baliguas  -present                                   3.Orlando Cesar (coordinator)

 

     Math & Science                       H.E/ ANP (Home Eco. & Applied Nutrition program)                                                  

1. Inocencio Mijares                                           1. Mildred del Castillo

 

2. Heidi M. Estandarte                                        2. Amelia Carbonilia

     3. Cecilia V. Lavadia-present

 

               Music & Arts                                                  Science

        Charisse Asencio – Present                       Florenda Casaquite – present

 

           Vocational Technology                                          Social Studies

        1. Pacifico Vijandre                                              1. Mildred Martir

        2. Hernane Insuelo                                             2. Jose Gonzaga

                                                                                3. Celsa Oro

                                                                                4. Nilo Carmona-present

 

                Math                                                        NFE (Non – Formal Educ.)

          1. Editha Pailano                                                1. Josefina Alabado

          2.  Lynee M. Peñaflor – present                           2. Eulogio Botalon

                                                                                 3. Normando Biaoco

                                                                                 4. Mr. Avelino Claud– present

 

                  Filipino                                                           Physical Facilities

           1. Francisca Mata                                               Leo Niedes - Present

           2. Delia de la Cruz

           3. Yolanda Cabalhin

           4. Mateo E. Bimbao Jr.

 

           REG (Research Evaluation & Guidance)

           1. Juana Aggabao

           2. Celsa Oro

 

                     Health

           1. Elisea Cato

           2. Virginia Bedayo

           3. Maria Inocencio

           4. Helen Pava

 

 The PRESENT

             The division banner flutters even higher as the institution embraces its motto: “Radiating the Passion for Excellence” and engrosses itself with the delivery of programs and projects – sports development, community extension services, child friendly system, literacy programs, stakeholders’ linkages, School-Based Management, implementation of School Improvement Plans, literary and musical activities, pupils, staff and personnel management and development and the instructional development facilities.

            Indeed, the division has nourished, nurtured and shaped thousands of minds through the years.

            It may seem a gargantuan task, but the wheel of labor is propelled by dedicated and determined working force – the teachers and school heads. There are 290 high school teachers, 27 master teachers and 8 school heads. In the elementary, there are 678 elementary school teachers, 56master teachers and 36 principals (SY 2010-2011).

            This noble group is highly motivated by equally zealous and goal oriented administrators headed by Schools Division Superintendent Milagros S. Gonzales, Ph.D., CESO V and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Portia M. Mallorca, Ph.D.

 

 The FUTURE

             Administrators come and go. Each leaves a mark distinctive from the rest. Each envisions and hopes the best for the Division of Bago City.

             “The Division of Bago City will be a center of Educational Excellence where all schools will develop citizens who will be using their minds rather than their heads – citizens who are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century and the Third Millennium.

                                                                                                Mr. Alberto A. Febrero

 

            “I envision a Bago City where schools produce students of excellence in terms of character, intellectual capabilities and work skills, where teachers teach with dedication and joy, where school offices and office personnel are honest and hardworking.”

                                                                                                Emolyn O. Corteza, PH.D.

 

            “Bago City is a good division and will be better if programs and reforms will be successfully implemented.

            I envision a speech laboratory to be built in the heart of Bago City. The Language Proficiency Program aims to train teachers to be profound English speakers.

            The reading program and the Library Hub should be enhanced in order to intensify the reading skills of students.

            Building Family of Better Readers hopes to train parents to teach and encourage their children to read.

            Through unity and cooperation, we have so much to accomplish.”

                                                                                                Mrs. Mildred L. Garay

 

            “Schools are havens for the development of foundational competencies of surviving, relating and enhancing life, imbibing the values of love of country, fellowmen, nature and receptiveness to positive global influences.

                                                                                                Juliet A. Jeruta, Ph.D.

 

            “DepEd Bago City is a learning organization of competent teaching and non-teaching personnel with integrity and professionalism working together with supportive stakeholders towards the holistic development of students and pupils.”

                                                                                                Portia M. Mallorca, Ph.D.

 

            “DepEd Bago City is a leading provider of quality education with highly motivated teaching and non-teaching personnel working together for peak performance producing globally competitive and productive citizens.”

                                                                                                Ma. Gemma M. Ledesma, CESO V