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HISTORY
HISTORY
Several years back, the presence of four secondary schools in Sanchez Mira was still inadequate to respond to the economic demands of the community; hence, conscientious leaders of the town decided to establish one more high school – a vocational school that could turn out technicians whom the community could depend upon for its economic growth and development.
Thus, the SANCHEZ MIRA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES, which belongs to the Implementing Units (IUs), was conceived through RA No. 3440 in 1961. Ex-Congressman Benjamin T. Ligot sponsored the approval of its initial One Hundred Thousand Pesos appropriation and on August 20, 1963, the school was born.
In its first year of existence, it was able to function with only one teacher – the ever-loved Mr. Macario C. Blanco and fourteen students. While in the process of searching for a school site, classes were held at the Mina’s residence at Centro 2, Sanchez Mira, then at the Telegraph NACIDA Building beside the Municipal Hall and later were transferred to the library of the Sanchez Mira Central Elementary School through the recommendation of the benevolent Ex Supervisor Mrs. Feliza M. Florentino, the composer of the SMSAT Hymn.
SMSAT in its early years of operation was nurtured by her mother school, the Cagayan Valley College of Arts and Trades, Tuguegarao, Cagayan under the supervision of the then Superintendent Isidro Agbayani.
Mr. Juan O. Azurin from Vigan, Ilocos Sur was appointed the first Principal for the school year 1964-1965. His coming was indeed a blessing, for enrolment started to increase followed by a rise in the number of faculty members. The need for more spacious standard school buildings arose and so, the Principal, with Ex-Supt. Agbayani and CVCAT Ex-Principal Mr. Francisco Melegrito chose the North-Western tip of Barangay Santor as the school site bounded on the North by Barangay Dagueray, on the East by Barangay Bangan, on the West by Barangay Langagan and on the South by Barangay Santiago. The school site with an area of 4.9 hectares was acquired through purchase owned by the Abrina’s and de Guzman’s of Centro 1, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
In 1969, the school held its First Commencement Exercises with only nineteen graduates. After some years of hard but fruitful work, Mr. Azurin sought for transfer nearer his hometown; so Mr. Rodrigo P. Allado from Laoag took charge. With his two-year stay as school Principal, he was able to discharge his duties as seen in the completion of the stage behind the Related Subjects Building plus the initial construction of the Girls’ Trades Building and the concrete shed infront of the school.
After Mr. Allado’s transfer as Regional Supervisor of DECS Region I, Mr. Agapito C. Flores, Jr. from San Fernando, La Union became the next principal. It was during his administration when the Girls Trades’ Building was continued where the rooms at the northern wing was converted to Food Trades Room and School Canteen. He was also instrumental in establishing a Scout Village at the eastern portion of the school site.
When Mr. Flores was promoted to Region 01 as Regional Supervisor in 1975, Mr. Conrado C. Damian from Aparri, Cagayan became the Officer-in-Charge. That same year, Mr. Bonifacio O. Almo from Vigan, Ilocos Sur was promoted as Head of the Vocational Subjects Department and 2 months thereafter, he was elevated to the position of School Principal. It was in his term when transportation facilities, like one school bus, one six-by-six truck and one service jeep, were acquired through transfer without cost from USAID. Being one of the pioneer teachers promoted to Principal, Mr. Almo prioritized the construction of an Administration Building and additional shop building for automotive course and the need to put up an athletic ground for the increasing number of students.
The conversion of the Scout Village to athletic grounds was made possible through the assistance of the heavy equipment operators of the Northern Luzon Super Sawmill at Nagbaranganan, Cagayan managed by Mr. Claudio Ruiz and the grader operators of the DPWH, Aparri District Office under Engr. Bienvenido Acluba.
With the establishment of spacious athletic grounds, SMSAT started to be recognized and began to hold District and NORWESCAA Meets, including conferences.
Not to miss Mr. Antero A. Bariuan from Claveria, once the Head of the Vocational Subjects Department, who took the item vacated by Mr. Almo.
With his so short stay, he initiated the establishment of the SMSAT Teachers and Employees Loan Association and the campaign for a Post-Secondary Education Program which came out to be a success.
A very rigid discipline was felt with the coming of Mr. Damian P. Manguira, Sr. from Isabela who was supposed to serve at the Claveria School of Arts and Trades but exchanged assignment with Mr. Bariuan. He became the school principal after Mr. Almo had his retirement on August 30, 1979. He triggered the further improvement of the campus landscape and beautification areas including the putting up of a Guidance Office, Display Center and the continuation of the Administration Building.
The school year 1978 – 1979 became very remarkable, considering the promotion of Miss Esperanza A. Calon as Head of the Related Subjects Department and Mr. Napoleon A. Malto as Head of the Vocational Subjects Department, both from Sanchez Mira.
When Mr. Manguira was promoted to the Regional Office, Mr. Alejandro T. Simon from Isabela was designated as OIC and later was promoted as school Principal. During his time, electrical lines were installed. Staff development program was, likewise, enhanced by constantly sending teachers ad employees to relevant trainings, conference and seminar-workshops to keep abreast with modern trends with the end in view of improving the quality of instruction and service for a better output of citizen-workers. Administrative Officers were temporarily housed at the Academic Building; so, one of his concerns was to work out for the completion of the Administration Building that was started by the former principal. The need for science classrooms was felt, so he started the construction of a two-storey Science and Technology Building.
When Mr. Simon was promoted as Vocational School Principal II in Isabela, Mr. Napoleon A. Malto was assigned School-in-Charge and on December 4, 1985, his appointment as school Principal took effect. He, being the 1st native of Sanchez Mira to become the principal of the school, holds a FIRST in the history of SMSAT.
Since the promotion of Mr. Malto as Principal I, nobody had taken over his then position as Department Head. However, the long-time vacancy was suddenly filled by Mr. Diosdado A. Dalit from Sanchez Mira in 1987. That same year, Mr. Malto was promoted as Vocational School Principal II.
Signs of commendable management and service were seen through his persistent efforts in many tangible projects such as purchase of needed musical instruments and attires for the Drum and Glockenspiel Corps, the completion of two-storey Science and Technology Building, the realization of needed tools, machinery and other equipment which improved the quality of teaching in both the Vocational and the Related Subjects Departments, the completion of a campus Mini
Park and the establishment of a bigger School Canteen.
In 1992, after a two-month implementation of his Management Project Plan, he became a member of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines. As an advocacy campaign a song with a marching tempo titled, “Future Industrialists” was composed by his wife Mrs. Emilia N. Malto, a music-minded Master Teacher II of Sanchez Mira Central Elementary School On May 23, 1996, he was elevated to the position of Vocational School Administrator I. His promotion made him work even harder; hence, several good things happened.
An Electronics Building located at the southernmost portion of the school grounds arose where electronic gadgets and other necessary equipment are kept and where classes of students in Radio Mechanics and Electronics Technology are held.
The registration of the SMSAT-MPC to CDA – Tuguegarao was made to strengthen its operation in catering to the needs of students, teachers, employees and outside members, alike. School year 1997 – 1998 saw SMSAT enter into an agreement with Foxrun International Computer Center, Inc. in order to equip teachers, primarily the students with computer skills so that they won’t be left behind in the technological advancement.
In 1999 the school became an Accredited Assessment Center for Consumer Electronics Servicing and the following year, it was given the full authority to offer the program in Electronics Technology by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority. The school then stayed under the wings of TESDA but went back to the then DECS due to the limited number of schools per type (Arts and Trades, Agriculture & Fishery) per Region to be under the Administrative Supervision of TESDA.
The construction of a Multipurpose Building situated right in front of the Girls’ Trade Building was started in 2002 through the funds solicited from the Office of Special Projects of the Presidential Management Staff under the Office of the President of the Philippines. The need for a vehicle to transport the public address system for hire and delegates of the school to seminars and trainings was felt; hence, an owner jeep was realized.
Through the funds generated by the Federation of Homeroom PETCA and solicited from civic-minded people during the celebration of the Founding Anniversary every August, the concrete pavement in front of the Science and Technology Building, the main driveway, shaded pathways connecting the gate with the Academic Building; then, with the Science and Technology Building and extended along the western portion of the school connecting the Shop Buildings and another covered walk from the gate to the Administration Building were, likewise, built to benefit the students, educators and visitors, alike especially during the rainy days.
The long silence at the office of the Vocational Subjects Department vacated by Mr. Dalit who was promoted as Principal of Allacapan Vocational High School was finally broken by the coming of Dr. Francisco A. Addun from Tuguegarao City. His assumption into office took effect on February 16, 2000.
In March 2001, Mrs. Yolanda O. Acantilado from Sanchez Mira took the position left by Miss Calon as Related Subjects Department Head. The following year Dr. Addun was replaced by Mr. Vivencio P. Aguda, Sr. from Sanchez Mira as Vocational Subjects Department Head when the former was promoted as principal of San Mateo Vocational and Industrial School in Isabela.
The school year 2003 – 2004 commenced the gradual withdrawal of the Post-Secondary Education Curriculum for the school to embrace only the Secondary Education Curriculum as mandated by the Basic Education Law.
The long dream of local officials of having a road at the western side of the school from the Maharlika Highway to the lateral road of Santor-Langagan was made possible through the initiative of Barangay Council of Santor under the leadership of Barangay Captain Pregillano Querqencia.
The school started to implement in SY 2006 – 2007 Industry-Based Science and Technology Curriculum focusing on the promotion and development of the coconut industry in the municipality of Sanchez Mira where coconut palms abound.
Since then, Food Technology teachers had ventured on coco business, especially along with the production of the local sweetened shredded coco meat called SMSAT Bucayo and at the same time, the SMSAT Buko Pie. Along with this, three Science Laboratory Rooms were put up at the second floor of the Science and Technology Building.
That same year, a permanent stage built at the northern side of the Multipurpose Building through the FHPETCA funds was dedicated and inaugurated.
In 2007 the school started to implement the Strengthened Technical-Vocational Education Program (STVEP) designed to contribute to the community development and help solve the job
skills gaps in the labor market by providing graduates with the required skills that may be certified by TESDA while still in high school.
Adjacent to the Multipurpose Building stands the School Clinic constructed through the CDF of the late Congressman Florencio L. Vargas.
The school was adjudged as a national awardee in the Search for the Best School Implementer of Brigada Eskwela in 2008 and twice as a regional awardee until 2009 which inspired the wife of the Vocational School Administrator to again compose a song re Brigada Eskwela that encouraged more volunteer workers to render their services to prepare the school for occupancy for the opening of classes each school year.
For a period of 8 months from November 25, 2008 to July 26, 2009 Mr. Ronald B. Gapusan, a Master Teacher I and principal-qualifier from Sanchez Mira was designated as Acting Head of the Related Subjects Department when Mrs. Acantilado left for a greener pasture abroad and on July 27, 2009 he was assigned as Related Subjects Department Head.
The school became a little taller and a little prouder when it ranked number one ICT Tech Voc High School in Region 02 in accordance with DepEd Memo No. 550, s. 2008. In September 2019 a tract of land containing an area of 44,244 square meters was reserved for Sanchez Mira SAT through Presidential Proclamation No. 1883; however, another small portion at the Athletic Oval is still subject to acquisition of a land title.
With funds from the Congressional District 02 of Cagayan, the Provincial Government and from the FHPTA, the Multipurpose Building was expanded and was built with bleachers and comfort rooms and three other rooms, one of which serves as PTA Office.
Renovations of the ICT/Electronics Technology Building, Automotive Technology Building, Civil Technology Building, Girls’ Trades Building and Canteen/Food Technology Building and upgrading of facilities for TVE Courses were undertaken in SY 2010 – 2011 through the Tech-Voc Task Force Intervention Funds to help improve and strengthen the skills of students.
Along with all these improvements is the continuing construction of concrete perimeter fence at the eastern, southern and western boundaries of the school compound backed up by the LGU at Sanchez Mira, alumni here and abroad and from the Special Education Fund allotted for infrastructure projects. Other than this, all classrooms at the Academic Building and the Science and Technology Building, with its comfort rooms, including 4 other shop rooms, the Administration Building, the School Canteen and the PTA Office had been tiled while beautification areas had been improved with the unstinted support of parents and other civic
minded people in the community.
In like manner, the Related Subjects Building, which was damaged by strong typhoon in 1987 and repaired out of the Quick Response Fund released by DPWH was further renovated in November 2011 from the School Building Repair Funds of DepEd through the DPWH in Libertad, Abulug, Cagayan during the term of Hon. Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Representative of the 2nd
District of Cagayan.
The SSG Office, which occupies the old stage at the center of the RS Building and which had also been tiled, was also constructed in the same year.
In 2012, the first phase of the proposed two-storey State-of-the -Art ICT Building was implemented through the Tech-Voc Task Force Funds at the DepEd Central Office. For a period of 4 months from March to June 2013 Mr. Ronald B. Gapusan, Head Teacher III of the Related Subjects Department, was designated as Officer-in-Charge after the mandatory retirement of Mr. Malto in March 2013, but was immediately transferred to Claveria National High School where he served as its caretaker. And so, the vacant position left by Mr. Malto which was downgraded from Vocational School Administrator I to Principal II was filled up by Dr. Addun and it was during his term as Principal III, but whose name was not included in the Plantilla list of SMSAT,when the State-of-the Art ICT Building was inaugurated.
In 2015 he was reassigned to another school; hence, the position was taken by Dr. Joel L. Bagasol, a former teacher of SMSAT, who came from Pamplona National School of Fisheries as Principal I. While at SMSAT, he was elevated to the position of Principal II where he initiated the transformation of the area at the back of the school into an IGP where a School Garden, including Animal Production Site, was put up. He was, however, relocated to Matucay National High School in Allacapan in September 2015.
In the same year the first 2-storey Senior High School Building in front of the school was completed. More Junior High School and SHS Buildings, including 1 Unique Laboratory Workshop Building and school canteens, continued to mushroom. Alongside the construction of additional workshop buildings enrolment kept increasing.
In the same month Dr Ronald B. Gapusan returned as Principal I and was promoted as Principal II in May 2018 where he initiated the replacement of the school gate into a stainless steel, the tiling of the School Library, with the lobby and corridors of the Administration Building and that of the flag pole area, to include a part of the western covered walk near the Girls’ Trades Building as project of the PTA in 2018.
Rehabilitation of the Administration Building and the Civil Technology Building, replacement of the roofs of the Multipurpose Building, Science and Technology Building and covered path along the main driveway, with construction of its bay walk and erection of the covered walk in the southern side of the school site, were addressed while 4 more Unique Lab Workshop Buildings, with school landmarks, like “I Love SMSAT” were built.
In the same manner, cleanliness and orderliness in the campus became more visible with the display of teamwork of every single member of the SMSAT village which qualified the school to get the title as the champion in the Provincial Search for the Best Eco-Solid Waste Management School Implementer and first runner-up in the Division Search for the Best School Garden Program Implementer.
Other than these major accomplishments, the school was a recipient to the 2018 Technical Vocational Funds for the purchase of SHS Learning Tools and Equipment. In addition, multiple awards in the Divisional and Regional Schools Press Conference, including that of the official school publication, The TRADEAN which qualified the school to advance to the NSPC. A qualifier, as well, to the 2019 Palarong Pambansa held in Davao City brought home a bronze medal from his participation in Wrestling in the Junior Division which wowed the entire region because this happened for the very first time in the history of SMSAT and the municipality of Sanchez Mira.
It was another pride for the school to have been identified by Cagayan State University, Sanchez Mira Campus as a recipient to its Adopt-A-School Program in 2018 and to have been qualified as an Assessment Center for Technical Drafting National Certificate II as accredited by TESDA Province of Cagayan and to have been adjudged as Best School Implementer of STVEP
in the Division of Cagayan in SY 2018-2019.
In 2019 an area of 758 square meters covered by the school through its eastern concrete perimeter fence was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Jiovanni R. Ramiro from Centro 2, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. In addition, the old pavement of the basketball court has been replaced with a new one. For the 2nd time around the school was adjudged as the champion and the first runner-up in the 2019 Provincial Search for the Best School Implementer on ESWM and the Division Search for the Best School Garden Program Implementer, respectively. All other old buildings in the school were also rehabilitated in March 2020.
The Proclamation of Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte of a Luzon-wide lockdown in the middle of March 2020 due to the existence of CoVid-19 pandemic caused the temporary closure of schools. As a result, virtual Closing Ceremonies were conducted for the very first time in the history of DEpED. The worsening situation of the country due to the rising increase of CoVid-infected cases did not, however, stop the Department from finding ways to continue the education of school children.
The use of learning modules and activity sheets was the option implemented by the school which was stipulated in its Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan for SY 2020-2021. Teachers were mobilized to serve as writers for the learning materials. In addition, partnership with education stakeholders was established all the more to produce the equipment and materials needed in the production of Self-Learning Guides and Learning Activity Sheets. The homes of students served as their school while their parents served as their guides in the learning process. Delivery of learning materials and retrieval of the same, including outputs, were scheduled in feeder barangays once in every two weeks to lessen teachers’ possible exposure to CoVid 19.
In spite of the pandemic, the school managed to join the 2020 Search for the Best School Implementer of Brigada Eskwela and triumphantly landed on the 1st place in the Congressional Level and 3rd place in the Division Level. To help alleviate poverty in the country and to support the “Plant, Plant, Plant, Plant Program” of the Department of Agriculture, the school encouraged learners and teachers to establish their own “Gulayan sa Tahanan” while it continued to support the “Gulayan sa Paaralan Program.”
With the expected return of the face-to-face interaction in SY 2021-2021, the school, hand in-hand with the Department of education, started to prepare itself for this scenario. Additional handwashing facilities were constructed while comfort rooms for school personnel and for learners are renovated and repaired. DepED Computerization Program package and ICT equipment were received as well from the Central Office and Bureau of Learning Resources but in the meantime laptops were issued to teachers in the absence of students who are supposed to serve as end-users.
With the presence of committed and competent members of the ever-growing teaching and non-teaching force, two able and supportive department heads in the JHS, to include a SHS Focal Person and Coordinator, and an innovative and workaholic caretaker of SMSAT, there exists a better, smoother and livelier collaboration in the implementation of all intramural and extramural activities, programs and projects of the school; thus, promoting and promising a better performance of the ever-increasing school populace.
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