School HistorY

HISTORY OF DACAL-PUKEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Dacal is a barangay near the shore of Babuyan Channel in the Northern most part of Cagayan. It is just one hundred meters south of Masisit, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. Sandwiched of these two barangays is a small portion of rice-field.

These places are inhabited by people from Paoay, Ilocos Norte. They are groups of industrious and peace-loving people who paved their perseverance during the formative years of the barangays. They are closely related to each other by blood having came from the same origin. Engraved in their lives is the value of education. Their children went to the same school, the Masisit Elementary School.

In 1950, the people of Dacal and Pukel thought of establishing a Primary School. The lot was donated by Mr. Florentino Caoagas and Mr. Andres Abut. The building was finally erected in 1951 under the leadership of Teniente del Bario, Estanislao Caoagas. The roof was made of palma brava leaves and the wall was made of wood. Mr. Fernandez was then the District Supervisor who requested for an extension class. The pupils continued their intermediate classes at Masisit Elementary School.

The late Miss Gervacia Callo was the first teacher. She reached the place by hiking or by riding in a cart pulled by a carabao. Mrs. Concepcion Tapec took her place when she transferred to another school. At that time, the people of Dacal and Pukel thought of improving the school so they solicited wood from the sawmill and the people of Dacal and Pukel provided the concrete flooring so the school was a semi-permanent PTA building. The teachers that time were Mrs. Emilia Rasgo, Mrs. Marcelina Ballesteros, and Miss Milagros Fuertes and headed by Mrs. Conception Tapec. In 1974, Mrs. Emilia Rasgo transferred to the Central school so Mrs. Leticia Josue who came from Tokitoc Primary School started to teach at Dacal Primary School.

In 1978, Mrs. Leticia Josue took the place of Mrs. Conception Tapec as the Teacher-in-Charge who retired that time. The other teachers were Miss Veneracion Langaman, Mrs. Lolivie Ancheta, Miss Nena Canonizado, and Mrs. Norma Cagat.

In 1980, 3 BLSB rooms were constructed and Miss Marina Acantilado was then the District Supervisor. In 1987, another 2 BLSB rooms were constructed because the enrolment is increasing so an extension class was granted. In 1988, 2 BLSB rooms were again constructed because the old PTA building was already dilapidated and it was this year when a Grade six class was granted in this school.

In 1989, the Dacal Primary School became a complete Elementary School thru the able leadership of Mr. Rodolfo A. Dalisay who was then the District Supervisor. The teachers were Miss Nancita Alegado, Mrs. Benita Cabulisan, Mrs. Norma Saddam, Mr. Federico Raralio, Mrs. Aida Sadoy, Mr. Romulo Yabes, and Mrs. Sherley Blanco headed by Mrs. Leticia A. Josue. Mrs. Sherley Blanco transferred to another school Mrs. Aida P. Siazon took her place.

In 1993, another 2 FVR rooms were constructed, a Home Economics Building and LRC Building. After a year, the Dacal Elementary School’s name was changed to Dacal-Pukel Elementary School because many pupils of this school came from Sitio Pukel, and the old PTA Building was a joint project of the people of Dacal and Pukel. Further, the school is very near to Sitio Pukel.

The opening of the intermediate grade in 1989 has opened avenues for progress. Today, the school is proud of her golden harvest. She has produced District Champions and runners up in the different contests. There were also pupils who garnered second place in regional quiz bee in Science and Math and also in the Provincial Oration Contest.

They do not only excel in academic contest but also in athletics. In 1992, a pupil bagged the Third Place in athletics in the CAVRAA while in 1998 another pupil was the champion in chess in the Provincial Level.

The services of the school is not only confined within the four walls of the classroom but it also extends to the community. The teachers led in the cleanliness and beautification of the barangay. They also served as chairmen in the different working committees during fiestas and other celebrations.

Seventy years ago, the school played a very important role in the progress of the barangay. Today, the many professionals who succeeded in their own field of endeavor are living testimonies of the joint toil of the teachers and the people of the community who paved to the present. Her accomplishments will always be remembered in the field of education as we seen the pages of history.

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