TABUK CITY, Kalinga – On July 4, 2024, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of the city celebrated its founding anniversary at the Davidson Hotel with the theme “Matatag @10: A Decade of Education, Excellence, and Innovation.”
USEC Epimaco Densing III, Undersecretary for Schools Infrastructure and Facilities, was the guest of honor and speaker.
In his message, he recognized the anniversary celebration of the SDO Tabuk and highlighted the importance of education through the construction of school building infrastructure projects to address the shortage of classrooms in the country.
Densing reported that among the 24 million learners nationwide, around 1.4 million are still learning under trees, in makeshift classrooms or in open spaces, emphasizing that under the administration of Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte, a total of 393 classroom school buildings were built across the country.
He added that one of the priorities of DepEd is to increase its budget for infrastructure projects to construct more schools for students to maximize normal learning.
As a sign of appreciation and in gratitude for all that he has done for the sector, Densing was adopted as a son of the city, bearing his identity as a leader, or a “pangat.”
On the other hand, former Cordillera DepEd CAR Regional Director Ellen Donato narrated the hardships that SDO Tabuk City has faced since its inception, claiming that SDO Tabuk is a legacy of all those who worked so hard to establish it as an independent division.
She also acknowledged the efforts of both city and provincial officials, as well as DepEd officials, in assisting one another in establishing the SDO Tabuk City, which is now on its 10th year despite challenges.
Donato praised the division’s superintendents who have served and toiled since 2014, beginning with Felipe Ballitoc, Sally Ullalim, Irene Angway, Estella Leo-Carino, and the present SDO, Benedicta Gamatero.
Gracing the event were Kalinga Lone District Representative Allan Jesse Mangaoang, Atty. John Paul Baguiwan representing Governor James Edduba, Vice Mayor Dick Bal-o, representing Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero and Councilor Eduardo Sacayle.
SDO Tabuk staff and retirees, principals and heads of several schools, and other DepEd officials were all in attendance.
Likewise, several programs of the division were exhibited during the one day event including Project Likharal-Kwento ng Bayan, knowledge exchange projects, ALS programs, cooking demonstrations, and innovations, specifically in Robotics. By Ian Addatu
