History

A BRIEF HISTORY

ITAWES NATIONAL AGRIVULTURAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL – ALABUG ANNEX

The school had its humble beginning. After the Japanese liberation in 1945 all schools in the provinces and cities were destroyed by the war, and the only existing school was located in Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Most of the students in the Itawes region had to go to Tuguegarao for their education. When Manuel L. Roxas was appointed President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946, he also appointed Mr. Mariano G. De Laza, a retired elementary teacher to be the Municipal Mayor of Tuao, Cagayan.

Since, education of the youth was his foremost concern, with his own initiative, he motivated the different families in the municipality of Tuao to donate materials for the construction of the first Itawes Junior High School in the second district of Cagayan. The materials used were indigenous, like cogon for roofing, bamboo for walling and the flooring was made of sawali. The post of the building was made of molave. Everybody worked through “Bayanihan System” and not long after, the first building about 40 meters long with the coconut bunk as its framework was erected on October 1, 1945. It was the foundation of the Itawes High School which was located at Alabug, Tuao, Cagayan. It had two classes then, the first and the second year. The first graduation was in 1949.

The first principal of the Itawes High School was Mr. Vito Diaz from Tuguegarao, Cagayan(1945–1948). When he transferred to Tuguegarao, Mr. Sabalburo succeeded him as principal (1948 – 1952). Then followed by Miss Lirio Manuel. After Miss Manuel, the school was converted to an Agricultural High School, wherein Mr. Francisco Sapaden was appointed the first in principal 1960.

The first enrollees were the members of the guerilla movement. Originally named as Itawes High School, its operation was subsidized by the municipal and provincial funds. It was converted into an agricultural school on June 21, 1959 under Republic Act No. 239 sponsored by then Cong. Benjamin T. Ligot, with the name Itawes National Rural Vocational High School (INRVHS). In as much as its site in Alabug does not warrant the offering of Homemaking and Agriculture Curriculum, it was moved to a much bigger location in Barangay Bulagao. In 1976, its name was again changed into its present name, Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School (INATS) thru Provincial Resolution No. 998 due to its offering of ladderized post-secondary courses.

Due to insistent demand of parents and local leaders, its campus in Alabug (this campus) was reopened in school year 1981-1982. Agriculture Science Curriculum was offered here which catered to the cream of the crop aside from the regular agriculture-homemaking curriculum. Gradually, its enrollment grew very

fast and surpassed the main campus. Honorable Manuel N. Mamba (Congressman from year 2001-2010 of the 3^rd district of Cagayan) felt the need of the school, thus building a big multi-purpose gymnasium and initiating the donation of 6 classroom given by the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Francisco N. Mamba (1990-2000) and Mayor William N. Mamba (2003 to present) continued giving their financial support to the school.

In spite of the multifarious problems confronting this school today, things are going on smoothly as we continue to enjoy the invaluable support of the PTA and our local government leaders. This was made possible through establishments of linkages between the school and its stakeholders and a warm attachment with parents and those who are concerned with the education of the youth. Through this harmonious relationship, this school continually obtains financial support from parents and infrastructure projects from our Mayor and our Congressman.

However, because of it’s fast growing population and the need to improve its facilities and better personnel, the students, parents, teachers and the whole stakeholders find it necessary for the separation of the school to the mother school Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School. Thus we are requesting for the immediate separation of the school.

As a public school, it has become a well-developed school. The school is one of the lucky recipients of the Personal Computer for Public School Program (PCPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry to the Third Years and Fourth Year students. Presently, the school has a population of 1,300 students and 40 faculty members and staff.