DAVAO ORIENTAL – Public schools in the province’s four gulf towns are now back to their rightful Schools Division as the jurisdiction over them was formally turned over to the Department of Education Davao Oriental Division.

During the DepEd Regional Management Committee meeting held on September 6 here, a ceremonial turn-over was held to officially transfer the administrative and supervisory jurisdiction of elementary and secondary schools in the municipalities of Banaybanay, Lupon, San Isidro, and Governor Generoso from the Schools Division of the City of Mati to the Schools Division of Davao Oriental.

“For Davao Oriental Provincial Division, I congratulate you for getting back your ‘sons and daughters’,” said DepEd OIC Regional Director Dr. Evelyn Fetalvero, CESO V, noting that both parties are winners.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the DepEd Provincial Division Dr. Lorenzo Mendoza warmly welcomed the new development as he committed to uphold standard and quality education amidst the expected increase in the scope of his division’s responsibility.

On the other hand, while the reversion of jurisdiction has significantly reduced the Mati City Division’s number of personnel, the DepEd Regional Office sees this as an opportunity for it to concentrate more on the administration and supervision of the schools within the city. “So, this would mean better performance can be expected from the Mati City Division because of lesser personnel and lesser schools to supervise and monitor,” added Director Fetalvero.

Amidst the reversion, Dir. Fetalvero assured the City Division that its status of being a medium-size category Schools Division Office will be maintained. While there are only 751 teachers required to maintain a medium-size category Schools Division, she said that the current 1,000-strong City Division is more than enough to maintain its status even with the reduction of teachers from the four municipalities.

Legal Bases

Resolving the long-standing problems stemming from the confusion on authority and responsibility, the reversion took effect through a Memorandum signed on August 2019 by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, putting an end to the three-year contest over the jurisdiction of schools in the four towns.

Based on the documents submitted by the regional office to the Office of the Secretary, the previous set-up has “created serious administrative and supervisory overlaps, confusion, and inefficiency in the monitoring and evaluation of students’ achievements in both Schools Division, as well as in statistical reporting, planning, investment, programming, performance assessment and other similar undertakings.”

Furthermore, the documents provided clearly shows that under the Davao Oriental Division are the ten municipalities covering the first and second districts of the province. Moreover, Section 50 of the Republic Act 9408 states that “The DepEd shall establish and maintain a city schools division of the City of Mati whose jurisdiction will cover all the school districts within the city.

Also instrumental to the final decision was the joint resolution passed by the League of Municipalities of Davao Oriental and Vice Mayors’ League of Davao Oriental which listed foreseen potential problems not only in terms of supervision but also in the excess of supervisors in the provincial division and reduction in the city division given the inevitable reversion.

Commitment

The City Government of Mati has declared its strong support to the reversion. City of Mati Administrator Atty. Alejandro Aquino who represented City of Mati Mayor Michelle Rabat said this will not only avoid arguments in terms of assistance and MOOE but will also simplify communication.

He assured the City Division that the city government will provide support to it in terms of facilities and finances. “You’re in good hands,” he said, adding that the city government will also provide support to schools beyond its jurisdiction.

“Under the ten-point agenda of the mayor and her administration, agriculture and education plays the first and the second spot. So, rest assured that while education is not our agency but under the law we will establish or strengthen the Local School Board. Now, we will also ask DepEd for a good partnership with us. We will provide support in whatever means as our facilities and finances can provide. We are for quality education,” said Atty. Aquino.

For the part of the Provincial Government, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who was represented by Technical Assistant Ma. Gracia Tiago, extended his congratulations to the Davao Oriental Division, the Provincial Government, and the city and municipal mayors of Davao Oriental who were involved in the reversion.

“Through the concerted efforts, we have proven that with commitment we can overcome many obstacles that stand in our way. Indeed, this is a highly commendable and strategic decision that creates a clear picture of the quality of education that the DepEd aims to achieve. The plan and vision is very clear, that is why we are confident that the programs will continue to run smoothly and change for the better is now taking place,” says the Governor.

He further extended his thanks to the Former Governor, now First District Representative Corazon Malanyaon who strongly pushed for the reversion of the schools which is necessary in order to establish order, clarity, and direction for the both divisions.

Meanwhile, the whole officialdom of the Provincial Government, including all municipalities, the city, and the two Congressional Districts of the province remain committed to the mission of providing quality free education through collaboration and complementation of efforts.

The turnover ceremony was spearheaded by top officials of DepEd Regional Office Dr. Evelyn Fetalvero and Dr. Maria Ines Asuncion, Davao Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lorenzo Mendoza, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Genevive Francisquette who represented City Schools Division Superintend Dr. Renaldo Guillena.  Also present were Technical Assistant of the Provincial Governor Ma. Gracia Tiago, City of Mati Administrator Atty. Alejandro Aquino,Executive Consultant of Banaybanay Tobias Alamis, Municipal Registrar of Lupon Robert Simbajon; San Isidro Municipal Mayor Justina Yu; and Governor Generoso Sangguniang Bayan Council Members Mario Makiling and Jeff Limbadan. By Karen Lou Deloso/Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan