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Our Mandate

The Department of Education was first established through the Education Decree of 1863 as the Superior Commission of Primary Instruction under a Chairman. The Education agency underwent many reorganization efforts in the 20th century in order to better define its purpose vis-à-vis the changing administrations and charters. Eventually, the Department of Education was mandated through Republic Act 9155, otherwise known as the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, which establishes its mandate.

The Department of Education (DepEd) formulates, implements, and coordinates policies, plans, programs, and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. It supervises all elementary and secondary education institutions, including alternative learning systems, both public and private; and provides for the establishment and maintenance of a complete, adequate, and integrated system of basic education relevant to the goals of national development.

The famous line “the road to excellence starts in the schools” is one of the thrusts of the education sector that jibes with the thought that “empowered schools start with the dedicated service of the educational leaders” from the core.

Perfectly situated in the heart of the first district of Pangasinan, the city Schools Division Office of Alaminos City has been an avenue of a hundred educational innovation and discoveries which lead to numerous citations thereby bringing honor and glory not only to the division itself but to the whole of the City of Alaminos – the home of the pristine Hundred Islands National Park.

With its finest and high-caliber educational leaders proactively engaging in many ways to provide quality, relevant, liberating, and accessible education to the young learners of the city, the Alaminos City Division Office endeavors to carve its name in the world of competence, excellence and incomparable educational service in numerous ways. Hence, the division was acknowledged to have “hundred reasons to serve”. Geared toward the holistic development of every learner, all the schools under the jurisdiction of the division are empowered to brave changes and adversities.

Introduction

A broad grasp of the past leads to a better understanding of the rudiments of today and the mysteries of tomorrow. A great deal of who and what we are today is an amalgamation of the different forces that shape time. Let’s take a journey back in time and relive the colorful history of Alaminos City.

They say that history is the family tree of now. Everything started from a humble beginning. Each school has a story to tell. And each story is teeming with values and lessons that are worth sharing and emulating. Collectively, these accounts make up the formidable foundation of the Schools Division Office of Alaminos City, one of the 14 division offices of DepEd Region I.

The first attempt is always the hardest part. Someone had to take the lead. Someone had to try. One would never know the consequence unless one initiates. With uncertainty, our progenitors trailblazed the road less travelled. Each journey was never easy. Oftentimes, it seemed endless. Our predecessors persevered because they believed that one day, all their efforts would eventually pay off.

We owe everything to the dauntless men and women of our division who considered themselves pioneers in the field of education. Dr. Lydia M. Surot, CESO VI, who later became the first ever Officer-In-Charge, Office of the City Schools Division Superintendent, stirred herself to action. She was the woman of the hour then, who started it all, so to speak.

That burning torch of education was even held higher and illuminated farther from one stable hand to the next. Armed with their fervent mission and vision of bringing quality education to all the learners in Alaminos City, they started innovating programs and relevant projects that would best serve and cater to the needs of the learners. Each leader had etched a legacy that is truly commendable and made sure that his or her battle cry for quality education is communicated.

Through the years, the Schools Division Office of Alaminos City had slowly inched its way to the top. It had slowly started making a name for itself in different fields in the region and eventually conquered the national and international arenas. Athletes of SDO Alaminos City had been a staple in the Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) and Palarong Pambansa, and continued to haul medals and trophies. Campus journalists and their coaches had dominated the top spots both in individual and group categories in the Regional Schools Press Conferences (RSPC) and National Schools Press Conferences (NSPC). Promising future scientists of our division had also won accolades in the International Science and Research competitions like SEAMEO Young Scientist (SSYS) 2010 held at SEAMEO-RECSAM, Penang, Malaysia, and Nuclear Science and Technology Education Exhibition International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna, Austria.

Recently, our entry “Sa Layag ng Bangkang Paurong” was recognized in different international film festivals and adjudged as the Best Documentary Film in the Fresh International Film Festival in Limerick, Ireland. Not only that, out of 250 film entries from over 50 countries, “Sakdo” and “Tidted” of Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS) brought home the grand prize and viewers’ choice awards, respectively, in the Let’s Talk About Water Film Festival (LTAW) on June 25, 2021.

These national and international recognitions are manifestations of the multifaceted persona of this small yet incredible division in western Pangasinan, with the world-renowned 100 islands as its perfect backdrop. It is as clear as the pristine shoreline that each island represents the accomplishment year after year of the 38 public elementary schools, 9 private elementary schools, 9 public secondary schools, 4 private junior high schools, and 7 private senior high schools.

With a hundred reasons to serve, Alaminos City Division, with its more than 1,000-strong teaching and non-teaching personnel, continues to bring quality education to its more than 27,000 learners.

Alaminos City Division Hymn

I

A City Division on the rise, a Godly mission unfold;

A vision committed waves up high, efficient leaders and teachers in flight.

A dream, a voice, an echo afar, words of love that glow;

Born a division to serve mankind, today and forevermore!

Chorus:

Alaminos City Division, Mabuhay!

Echo the birth with pride, Mabuhay Department of Education,

Onward for quality!

II

Alaminos City Division alerts us all, it marks a history;

Godly committed, happy, productive mentors here are we!

Golden West City Division, filled with talents and skills;

Brilliant leaders, dedicated staff, the pride of the golden West!

(Repeat Chorus)

III

Alaminos Division Pangasinan, valued mentors in a dream;

Competitive, highly skilled, with managers highly empowr’d!

Tarnish not your name, Alaminos, with the spirit of the Lord;

In our hearts, minds and souls, great name of freedom and love!

(Repeat Chorus)

The History of the Famed City Division

In The Heart Of Western Pangasinan

The creation of the City of Alaminos, by virtue of Republic Act 9025 or an Act converting the Municipality of Alaminos, Province of Pangasinan into a component city to be known as the City of Alaminos, initiated the noble birth of Alaminos City Division. Former Mayor Eduardo F. Fontelera proposed the establishment of the division office but had to wait for two years to realize this splendid dream.

On the 11th of December 2002, May¬-or Fontelera and former Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Director Dr. Remedios K. Taguba entered into and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), providing for the establishment of the Interim Alaminos City Division.

As of the 31st of January 2003, the interim office of Alaminos City Division was ready for occupation. Dr. Erlinda T. Nava, then Schools Division Superintendent of Pangasinan I Division, communicated the readiness of Alaminos City to the newly installed DepEd Regional Director Dr. Vilma L. Labrador.

On the 12th of June 2003, Dir. Labrador visited Mayor Fontelera and discussed the eventual establishment of the schools division. Dr. Nava, Dr. Lydia M. Surot, soon to be the Officer-in-charge of the city division, Dr. Josefina G. Tamondong, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent (ASDS) of Pangasinan I, Dr. Gloria N. Reinoso of Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS), Dr. Marlene D. Bergonia of Alaminos Central School, and other city officials and school heads attended that historic meeting that ushered the fruition of the City of Alaminos’ aspiration.

On that triumphant day of June 17, 2003, after about two years of birth pangs, the tenth division of DepEd Region 1 was finally born. On that momentous morning, Dir. Labrador, together with Dr. Nava, Dr. Surot, Mayor Fontelera, Mrs. Reinoso, Dr. Bergonia, and other city officials and school heads, spearheaded the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon of the division office. The historic installation of the Schools Division Superintendent in the person of Dr. Lydia M. Surot, CESO VI, who later became the first ever Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent (OSDS) by virtue of the order signed by DepEd Secretary Edilberto de Jesus on June 4 of the same year, was the highlight of the event.

In the ceremonial turnover of the city division banner, Dir. Labrador, with the assistance of Dr. Alma Ruby C. Torio and Dr. Josefina G. Tamondong, handed the same to Dr. Surot, after Superintendent Nava pulled out the banner of Division of Pangasinan 1.

Manpower for the different offices of the division was a problem from 2003-2006. With this, Reinoso tapped some of the teachers of Alaminos City National High School to be interim workers at the division office. Interim for the office of the supervisor in Araling Panlipunan was Mrs. Erlinda C. Asuncion; in Science, Mrs. Cecilia M. Nisperos; in English, Mrs. Erlinda G. Santos; in Mathematics, Mrs. Febelina Jimenez; in Filipino, Mrs.

Lolita Cabatic; in MAPEH, Mr. Honorio Romero Jr.,; in TLE, Mrs. Bella Villanos, and; in ALS, Mrs. Gloria Alura. Pioneer division office workers include interim accountant, Mrs. Helen Guillermo; interim cashier, Mrs. Rosalie Sarmiento; interim supply officer, Mr. Freddie Peralta; interim planning officer, Mrs. Marife Viray; and interim administrative officer, Mrs. Aurora Sarmiento.

According to Mr. Peralta, the original division office was occupied in small rooms where pioneer workers crowded to do their tasks. Eventually, additional buildings were constructed, giving enough space for the division office workers.

In 2008, all the interim office workers received permanent appointments except for Mrs. Guillermo, who stayed in ANHS for some reason but eventually got the division budget officer position in 2015.

It was also in 2008 when new items for supervisors in charge of the different learning areas were given, and some interim supervisors returned to ACNHS.

When Dr. Lydia M. Surot retired on April 13, 2004, Dr. Oscar C. Tadeo, District Supervisor, Binmaley II District, was designated as an Officer-in-Charge on April 18, 2004. Later, Dr. Renato R. Viray, former Schools Division Superintendent of San Carlos City Division, was assigned to head the division on October 4, 2004.

On August 6-31, 2008, Dr. Wilfredo E. Sindayen served as Officer-in-Charge in the office of the Schools Division Superintendent.

When Dr.Viray retired on June 1, 2009, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Tadeo came back as an Officer-In-Charge in the OSDS.

During the stint of Dr. Tadeo, the City Schools Division has thirty-six (36) public elementary schools, seven (7) national high schools, twelve (12) private elementary schools, and four (4) private secondary schools within the city. At this time, the Division has nine (9) Education Program Supervisors, namely Dr.Wilfredo E. Sindayen for English; (2) Mrs. Lolita R. Cabatic for Filipino; (3) Mrs. Febelina V. Jimenez for Mathematics; (4) Mrs. Cecilia M. Nisperos for Science; (5) Mrs. Bella R. Villanos for Technology and Livelihood Education; (6) Dr. Mercuria C. Rendon for Pre-Elem; (7) Dr. Orlando I. Guerrero for Araling Panlipunan; (8) Dr. Arturo R. Viray for MAPEH; and (9) Dr. Aleta C. Begonia for Alternative Learning System.

In between Dr. Tadeo`s leadership, Dr. Wilfredo E. Sindayen again served as officer-in-charge in the OSDS on August 10-28, 2009, and on July 5, 2010, to October 2, 2010.

Meanwhile, from May 27 to November 20, 2013, Regional Director Dr. Teresita M. Velasco served as the officer-in-charge in the OSDS. Dr. Danilo C. Sison succeeded RD Velasco and served until September 2019. He later took over the Pangasinan II division, and Dr. Lorna G. Bugayong took over the helm of leading Alaminos City to its unprecedented successes despite the pandemic period until October 20, 2022.

ASDS Dr. Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan succeeded Dr. Bugayong as OIC in the OSDS. She currently leads the SDO- Alaminos City as it recuperates from the challenges brought by the pandemic, serving as a symbol of resiliency to teachers, staff, and learners under DepEd`s flagship program, MATATAG: bansang makabata, batang makabansa.