Brief History of DepEd Butuan City

 ( 1975-present)

The Division of Butuan City evolved as an independent division after it split- up with the Division of Agusan del Norte in 1975 when it was given a complete staffing pattern under the stewardship of the first Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) of Butuan City, Mr. Abelardo Villavert.

From its creation as a budding division, Butuan City’s stunning growth and superb achievement could be well traced down from the influences of its great and dynamic leaders in education. After the administration of SDS Villavert, the following front-runners led the division: SDS Pedro Calo, in 1960- 1969, SDS Leonor Dela Serna in 1973-1975, SDS Victoriano Pasillao in1975-1977 and SDS Benjamin O. Valido (1977-1984) in 1975 – 1977.

The influences and contributions of its great leaders accelerated to remarkable degrees of improvement, development, and achievements that became the avenue in successfully carrying out its basic thrusts of providing quality basic education to its clienteles through the years. Despite changes in curriculum, it pliantly withstood and overcome all challenges.

Preserving the culture of excellent service, SDS Sol E. Matugas together with ASDS Teresita Crisologo in 1985-1986, SDS Fe A. Acantilado with ASDS Peregrina A. Leonardo in 1986- 1990, and SDS Atty. Loreto D. Rafols (1991-1995) with ASDS Carmelita M. Magno (1991 to 1994) took the lead in establishing a healthy working environment and a vigorous customer satisfaction.

Despite changes, Butuan City Division continuously strives to maintain its progressive transformation in providing efficient service to the primary stakeholders of education- the learners. The great efforts and influences of its former leaders significantly contributed in uplifting and nurturing the institution. Those yesteryears of sowing the seed of success gradually resulted into a more preponderant outcome at present.

In 1995-1998, Butuan City Division had ASDS Clara D. Almendralejo who acted as the Officer-in-charge. For four (4) consecutive years, she was able to navigate and govern the office with a touch of excellence. In 1998, Dr. Eden C. Omboy was assigned as SDS and she served the office for eight (8) years. In her administration, two (2) ASDSs were instated; ASDS Isabelita M. Borres (1999-2001) and ASDS Florante M. Corpuz (2002-2005). Thereafter, Dr. Rebecca V. Dela Puz took office as SDS from 2005 until 2008 along with ASDS Teresita P. Tranquilan who served from 2006 to 2008. After the assumption of office in Butuan City, SDS Dela Puz was promoted as the OIC Regional Director of DepEd Caraga Regional Office while ASDS Tranquilan was promoted to SDS in the Division of Agusan del Sur.

In 2008, two servant leaders managed the division. Dr. Susan A. Cuizon was installed as SDS and Dr. Marilou B. Dedumo as ASDS. However, amidst the division’s pursuit towards maintaining its smooth operation, it wasn’t able to have an SDS in 2019. Thus, ASDS Dedumo served as the Officer-in-charge who imprinted one of the splendid years of DepED, Butuan City. During her leadership, the division attained numerous and various citations and awards in different contest categories both in the International and National Levels.

As SY 2010-2011 came to its close, promising achievements and excellent performances again stood at the limelight under the administration of SDS Daylinda J. Tampus and ASDS Minerva T. Albis (2011-2013).  Butuan ranked third in the International Rondalya- Awit Festival. Other than that, it was proclaimed champion in the Tugsawit Category, while it ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th in other contest categories in the National Science Fair and Quiz.

The changes in pedagogy were the helms of the Butuanon leaders to be resilient and adoptive. In the beginning of SY 2012-2013, K to 12 Curriculum was mandated. Along with the new curriculum, was assignment of the new SDS who pioneered its implementation. SDS Josita B. Carmen took the lead in championing the advocacy for education and in maintaining excellence in all its operations. By 2015, SDS Carmen was transferred to Surigao del Sur Division and SDS Arsenio T. Cornites Jr. the former SDS of the Division of Agusan del Norte assumed the responsibility alongside ASDS Jeanie L. Mativo, who served the office from SY 2014. SDS Cornites’s wisdom and valiance established a strong DepEd Butuan.

After SDS Cornites was SDS Romeo O. Aprovechar (2017-2018) who continued the legacy of the former leaders in strengthening the partnership among stakeholders especially with the Local Government Unit (LGU).  During his leadership, Villa Kananga Elem. School won as champion in the National Best Brigada Eskwela Implementer – Small School Category.  Moreover, the National Literacy Coordinating Council awarded Butuan City Division as Champion in the National Literacy Awards. The steadfast support of Hon. Mayor Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada and Hon. Glenn C. Carampatana as Chair of the Education Committee and the barangay captains of the 86 barangays paved the way for this honor and prestige.  The creation of Project HEART (Honesty, Enthusiasm, Accountability, Respect, Trust) reinforced the implementation of various programs and projects. Project MoRE (Mobile Reading Enhancement) and Project SURE (SUmmer Reading Enhancement) was established which geared toward improving reading competence among Key Stage 1 learners.  Adding to the prominence of the division was the conferment by the Regional Office of Alviola Central Elementary School, Doongan Integrated School, Tagpulangi Elemenetary School and Taligaman National High School as SBM Level 3 practitioners.

Despite challenges and upheavals, DepED Butuan City is one with the Millennium Development Goals. This division has been strengthening the following EFA priority programs and projects: Drop-Out Reduction Programs and Projects, Adopt a Child Program- One Child One Peace Program, Adoption and Intensification of Expanded Universal Medical Dental Check Up (E-UMDC), Intensification and Sustenance of School Feeding Program through Proper School Canteen Management, Establishment and Institutionalization of Preschool classes, Adoption and Use of School Readiness Assessment (SReA) for Preschool Kindergarten and Grade 1,  Establishment and Working for Independency of Annex and Integrated Schools, Reduction of Multi-grade classes, Advocacy and Practice on the Brigada Eskwela Plus, Adopt-a-School Program, School Based Management and many other projects that have impacted on the achievement of EFA goals 2015.  

Starting 2019 to present, SDS Marilou B. Dedumo, has been leading the division amidst the gigantic challenges in educational operations. Her contagious optimism and commitment to public service become the source of fortitude of her subordinates. With so much to offer, SDS Dedumo in tandem with ASDS Jeanie L. Mativo (2015-2019)  OIC-ASDS Manuel O. Caberte ( 2019-March  2022) and OIC-ASDS Corazon P. Roa (April 2022-present), has continued to initiate remarkable programs and projects for the improvement of service delivery for clients’ satisfaction.  She created Project LOVE (Leaders of Vision and Excellence) that gears toward innovation and systems improvements. In her vision to improve the processes and systems, she initiated the journey of the division towards ISO certification which is centered on clients’ satisfaction. Along with ASDS Manuel Caberte and Planning Officer Rowena C. Egay, she also espoused One Butuan, One Portal which aimed to organize information and data banking. As a proof of her genuine leadership, DepEd Butuan was conferred by the Civil Service Commission as Prime HRM Maturity Level II in 2020. 

To date, Butuan City has been considered as a premier division in Caraga Region. Consistently, it soars high in its quest for quality education and unceasingly aims for continuous improvement. As evidenced by its various victorious stories in different competitions and accreditations, it has convincingly given justice to its glorious history. With the tagline One DepEd, One Butuan, We Love as One, it continues to soar high towards excellence.