An Institution with Enviable History of Human Resources,
Successes, Honor, Governance and Opportunities!

It has been in the limelight since immemorial and had earned uncountable credits in the different fields of endeavor under the collaborative leadership of itspresent and previous Schools Division Superintendents with the fair share of unequalled efforts of their assistant schools division superintendents, bred from the different parts of the archipelago whose commitment towards servitude flicked results of astounding metamorphosis, from its humble beginning, to its present amazing set up.

Strategically located at Patin-ay, Prosperidad, part of the landlocked province of Agusan del Sur with anarea of 9,485 square kilometers, serving 13 municipalities whose original ethnicity are Manobo, Higaonon, Aeta, Mamanwa, Banwaon , Talaandig and Bagobo. The division had invested so much in education which resulted to promising payouts that have made immeasurable impacts to the lives of young and old Agusanons. As it celebrates its 50th Founding Anniversary, let us unfold some chapters of its story.

There was only one Agusan Province before. By virtue of Republic Act No. 4979, the province was split into Agusan del Sur and Norte on June 17, 1967. All schools were yet under the wings of Agusan del Norte Division where constituents transact matters at Butuan City. By then, Agusan Sur was under Region X with its Regional Office at Cagayan de Oro City but approval and release of appointments for teaching and non-teaching personnel were executed from the Central Office inMetro Manila.

Two years after, the division of Agusan del Sur reaped sovereignty and had occupied the building vacated by the American Peace Corps at San Francisco Pilot Elementary School with Mr. Abelardo A. Villabert as the first SDS. During his time, the Division was composed of 10 Municipalities. Bayugan, Esperanza, Prosperidad, San Francisco, Bunawan, Talacogon, La Paz, Loreto, Veruela, and Santa Josefa. Later, Trento, Rosario and San Luis made it counted into 13 municipalities in 1968. From there, clustering by district took place and the acronym BEST (BUNAWAN, ESPERANZA, SAN FRANCISCO, TALACOGON) became popular especially during athletic meets.

Next in line was SDS German A. Guazon who got appointed in 1970. Teaching local language was implemented in Grades 1 and 2, while teaching English swayed in Grade 3. Scholarship for teachers and supervisors paved chances. In 1974, Agusan del Sur Provincial High School now Agusan del Sur National High School was opened, with the coordination of the former lady Governor, Hon. Valentina G. Plaza.

Peregrina D. Leonardo, the Division Academic Supervisor became the in-charge of the Division right after SDS Guazon’s exit. Consequently, Carlos E. Condes assumed post in 1975. SDS Condes recognized the effort of teachers who were able to put up classroom projects out from parents’ support since facilities were yet insufficient. In terms of non-academic performance, the Division was the champion in Mindanao Athletic Association during his time. In 1978, DepEd was renamed Ministry of Education and Culture(MEC) from Department of Education and Culture.This same year, Eriberto Taban-odbecame the SDS but only for roughly a year due to his untimely death caused by a vehicular accident while visiting a school in Talacogon District.

As the ASDS of SDS Taban-od, Eutiquio T. Solis momentarily assumed Office as OIC from 1978 to 1979. The division again became champion in Mindanao Athletic Association (MAA) at Surigao City. Then SDS Monico T. Corpuz was installed and reigned from 1979 to 1986. In this period, most of the programs, projects, and thrusts were sustained and enhanced. On February 1, 1980 Sibagat was established, completing the scroll of MECS AgSur’s 14 municipalities.

Thereafter, Atty. Mamerto G. Paragas took his SDS seat from 1986 to 1990. Promotion of school administrators and supervisors was his remarkable battle cry, thus many were promoted during his time.

SDS FlavianoGarsuta replaced the seat of Atty. Paragas from1990 to 1994.During his governance, some schools were awarded as Most Effective Elementary Schools in the national level. Schools with established Drum and Bugle Corps were also recognized. Sta. Josefa District was also created.

Then SDS Lydia V. Moran entered in the picture from 1994 to 1996. It was in her time when the Division Office was transferred to Patin-ay. Moreover, Caraga Region was created on July 8, 1995, in which, Agusan Sur became one of the divisions in DECS Caraga Region. Eventually, all personnel in the Division Office were able to attend the 1st Caraga Educators’ Dialogue and Installation Ceremony of Dr. Sol F. Matugas as the first Regional Director, at Surigao City. By then, the DOP Sports Complex was finished, in this headway, the Province of Agusan del Sur steered by the Late Provincial Governor Democrito O. Plaza, in coordination with DECS AgSur, accepted the challenge in hosting the Palarong Pampook on January 22-29, 1995.

Moreover, SDS Moran capped the epic dawning of the school papering in Agusan del Sur in elementary pioneered byBayugan East CES with Mrs. ErlindaTindoy as the school paper adviser.Not only that, the strong-willed SDS also introduced the ‘Speak to me in English’ policy, driving everyone to master the language under bittersweet pressure.

Eulalio Cortez was hailed SDS in the division from 1996 to 1999 with Rebecca V. Delapuz, Ph. D as the ASDS. During his time, school heads and supervisors were sent to Boy Scout trainings from the division to the national levels. Additional three districts were created too, namely, Bayugan, East Prosperidad and Loreto. In 1998, Project PROBE opened gateways of chances to many teachers for having been exposed to more learning abroad.

Thereafter, OIC- SDS Nerio O. Cupin manned the Division from 1999 to 2000. He had authored Project BEST- Breed Excellence in Science and Technology that catered more sublime activities for fast learners. This project endures until this time. Add-in to the list was Project SHINE of which the Division received a national award being the Most Outstanding Implementer spearheaded by Lapinigan NHS. Meanwhile, Agusan Sur National High School bagged the first National Level Most Outstanding Brigada Eskwela Implementer in year 2000. Consequently, Trento, Veruela, Lapaz, San Luis, Sibagat, and Rosario became districts of the division too.

Think Tank Group was also created under his supervision, providing the division sensible alternatives to certain issues.Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) Program began and flourished under his leadership.

In 2000, SDS Dr. Luz S. Almeda followed the lead of Cupin. As a recipient of Third Elementary Education Program (TEEP), the Division implemented different projects as interventions to the schools’ prevailing problems. Construction of school buildings sprouted like mushrooms. With TEEP, the Diwata News was established as the Division’s Official Publication. APES (Accreditation for Public Elementary School) and STERLING Accreditation were conducted. Further, DECS was renamed DepED.

Basic Education Curriculum was the tune of every member of DepEd Family in 2002. Some schools became national awardees to the search for most Outstanding Brigada Eskwela Implementers. Project SUREWAY in her time was a reading prowess booster among the young. Onwards 2000, the districts gradually increased by splitting the big municipalities into two, three and four districts.

Added in her milestoneswere the Project Master Teacher Out to Lead and Develop (MOLD), paving the way for master teachers to learn firsthand experiences in mentoring neophyte teachers.

Moreover, the Special Education (SPED) in Agusan del Sur was born in San Francisco Pilot Central ES with Dr. Minerva T. Albis as the school principal and who later became the first Division SPED Coordinator.

Then SDS Dr.Beatriz G. Omay assumed in the division office in 2002 with TeresitaGaldo as the next in rank personality and later Cruzita Z. Montejo-Taala as ASDS after her assignment at Siargao City.

She made sure that TEEP implementation was sustained. Secondary Education Development Project (SEDP), and Project PagtuonAlangsaMasanagngaKaugmaon, which was the project of the former Governor Adolph Edward G. Plaza were also launched and implemented. Pagtuon Library Centers in schools were established. Mobile Library started its journey. The New building of the Division Office was constructed. Implementation of the School Based Management started. Project MOLD operationalized through Mentoring the Mentors Program (MMP). The Division had astoundingly soared as the power house of outstanding school paper advisers and campus journalists.

OIC-SDS Crucita Z. Montejo-Taala replaced SDS Omay in 2006. Sharing responsibility with her as ASDSs were Victoria Chagas and NeliaLomocso though their stay in the division was sort of short-lived due to promotion. Teresita Perez- Tranquilan was thereafter designated ASDS in the secondary level and Virginia B. Cuizon for elementary. Upon the compulsory retirement of ASDS Cuizon, Gemma A. De Paz had eventually stepped in. SDS Taala's vigor was tested when Typhoon Pablo hit Agusan Sur in December 2012 as some of the school buildings; equipment, facilities, and learning resources were wrecked and shattered. However, the Division, together with its pool of civic and non-civic partners, made ends meet to overcome the conquest.

On August 6, 2012, the Division of Bayugan City was launched, leaving AgSur Division with only 13 municipalities. TEEP and SEDIP gains were sustained with still “The Diwata News” as the Division’s Official Publication. Lately, it was changed to “The Naliyagan Gazette”.

The Division made it to have the biggest LGU equity of all SEDIP Provinces in the country, for the construction of school buildings, in the secondary level in partnership with the PGAS under the leadership of Hon. Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza. SBM in her time was also sustained.

Planning and implementation of the major educational reform – the Kto12, came in the limelight. The preparation for senior high school began through Division on Wheels Advocacy to reach the stakeholders. On the one hand, The Pagtuon Project was sustained and innovated through “TingogsaEdukasyon, BosessaKabataan,” a 30-minute live radio program for free at DXDA Patin-ay every Saturday by the Junior Patrollers from the elementary and the secondary schools and the NBN TV Program dubbed as TutokBalita.

The Division again hosted the conduct of the Caraga Regional Athletic Meet. Best practices such as DORP, DEAR, CAI, MISOSA, e-IMPACT, SPED and others were benchmarked by the educators from different SEDIP regions. Addition to the garnered laurels was the AgSur’s overwhelming rank in NAT: National level, 1st in elementary and 2nd for the secondary.

Consequently, AgSur Division became a recipient of the Learning Resources Management and Development Center/System (LRMDC/LRMDS). It was launched on January 29, 2013, the birthday of SDS Taala and her last day as SDS of Agusan del Sur.

ASDS Elena M. Acasioserved as the division lookout for barely 5 months while in wait for the next SDS. Apparently, her reign did not last long because of her untimely death. She was immediately replaced by the OIC-Regional Director Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte as the concurrent SDS.Under his supervision, he strongly mandated the ‘No Collection Policy’ in all schools not only in the division but all throughout the region. He served Agusan del Sur for seven (7) months. Brochures, flyers on frequently asked question were disseminated to the field to cater information on issues concerningthe Department of Education.

And then Teresita Perez- Tranquilanreplaced Atty. Escobarte. She was able to withstand the delivery of quality basic education to 135,930 learners in schools and learning centers. During her servitude, 600 teachers were given permanent items. Promotion of teachers was realized too. Monitoring of Early Childhood Education or Kindergarten programs, implementing ANTI-Bullying and making the schools as zones of peace, and creating of additional districts for San Francisco and Prosperidad were also enlisted in her work course.

She started the negotiation in converting AgSur from medium to large schools division. As a lumad, Indigenous People’s Education (IPEd) was one of her priorities. She authored the epic “Kamanduan“in three languages and such were being used by some school as instructional materials for contextualized instructions. She had initially implemented the Rationalization Program prior to her retirement in April 2015.Her vacated position was temporarily filled in by ASDS Imelda N. Sabornidoin barely one month.

Finally, ASDS Dr. Minerva T. Albis was installedas OIC-SDS in May 2015 (up to the present)! The full implementation of the Rationalization Program was her first stride. Then came the full swing operation of Senior High School wheredeployment of items was catered to 664 senior high school teachers as of 2019. In addition, 863 items for Junior High School and 971 for the Elementary School teacherswere filled in. Promotion was served to 590 teaching and non-teaching personnel, and a breakthrough on Reclassification opened gates of opportunities to some Teachers 1 to 3 who got nailed in their positions.Remarkably, she hired teachers by qualifications, merits, performance and achievements and not through recommendations.

To this date, Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) have been on queue for planning to ensure optimum development of the 168,555 young and old Agusanons enrolled in 546 public and private schools in 152 learning centersof the division’s 44 districts (14 were yet in wait for Central Office approval) and 13 municipalities. She also made sure that the welfare of the 7,942 teaching and non-teaching human resources was addressed.

In the other juncture, her strong partnership towards the external and internal stakeholders paved way to attaining the goal of SBM where Social Mobilization (SOCMOB) led to the realizations of KRA# 5 of the Deped and SBM policies institutionalizing culture change. She also ordered all schools of the division to put up transparency boards highlighting the uses of MOOE and other funds allocated for programs and projects. Moreover, she ensured the maximum utilization of the Special Education Fund (SEF) and the crafting and implementation of the Provincial Education Development Plan (PEDA) and the 5-year Division Basic Education Development Plan.

In 2016, the Division banner Project, the Project SMILE (Strategic Mentoring for Innovative Leadership and Excellence) was also launched.Her pet program, the Continuous Improvement (CI) was being cascaded to schools. Another program that she had given apt consideration was Project DREAM (Developing Resources by Empowering Advocacy Movements) where institutionalization of SPED program in the province was strengthened.

Moreover, different innovative projects in the division, districts and schools were introduced and sustained too. Amongst them are: Project VERUELA, Project LORETO, Project CLIMB, and thecontextualized Project OK sa DepEd, Project HIMSUG (HiniusangInisyatibosapagbuntogsaMalnutrisyon, SakitugGutom), Project DEALING in ALS, Project PAGPABASA (Pag-AgakugPabasasamgaBatangAgusanon) projecting Zero Non-Reader Policy thus introducing additional initiatives like Kaban sa Kinaadman, Project ARAL (Always Read and Learn) and Project Tandawan for Grades 7 to 12.

With her constant nudging in attaining excellence, DepEdAgSur undeniably sparked in different competitions in both academic and non-academic arena, from the regional level up to the international level. To mention some, International winners and participants in science investigatory projects, International winners in Mathematics Olympiad, consistent regional champion since 2015 up to present and three years national winner in Special Program in the Arts, Champion in the RSPC in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 and have had a lion’s share in DepEd Caraga Region’s applauded wins in the NSPC, Regional and National winner in Barkada Kontra Druga, Eco-Friendly School, Gawad Siklab,KALASAG, SAPAGKAT/GPP, National Finalist in Civil Service Musical Competition.

In 2018, the municipality of San Francisco coordinated with Agsur Division in its quest to the National Literacy Awards competition. Apparently, San Francisco was able to bag the first place, a back to back win with Loreto’s coffee table book entry entitled “NO LONGER A TAMLA.” Awarding of the said contest was held at Baguio City, with Doc Albis and the “STRIKING GOLD” team in attendance.

This endeavour showed that indeed, the OIC-SDS really made sure that Alternative Learning System (ALS) program could cater services to 1,800 plus learners in 152 learning centers this province has put in. On the other end, transformational initiative took place through PRIME HRM that enhances quality, accessible, relevant and liberating basic education services was also given apt attention. Moreover, ISO 9001:2015 is paved to its journey towards accreditation.

Yet, her reign is not at all a walk in the park without the support of hertentacles. For one, ASDS Gemma A. De Paz whose unfailing wisdom towards governance is beyond doubt. The School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) headed by Dr. Orlando F. Gamilwho ensures strict compliance of his work jurisdictions.

Not tosideline the worthwhile efforts of the Curriculum and Implementation Division (CID) spearheaded by Mrs. Lorna P. Gayol who is responsible being the first division to conduct trainings to 632 teacherswith CPD units from four PRC-accredited human resource development programs.More so, Agsur division accorded a number of funded researches in both divisional and regional levels through “Ang TAGNAU Research Manual and the Golden Tara Research Journal which are both recognized by the Philippine National Library, after having metthe International Standard Serial and Book Number. TANDAWAN, Learning Modules in Literature, Pre-Algebra Instructional Module were some of the materials reproduced throughthe funded researches.

Ultimately, Project ESTORYA of which fifty years after the DepEd Agusan del Sur’s birth, crafting of its historywas finally realized.

As of time being, the application of DepEd Agusan del Sur to be qualified as large schools division office is still on queue for approval. These were but few evidences why DepEd Agusan del Sur is then and now hailed as a decorated division in Caraga region with Doctor Albis around manning the station!

The Division of Agusan del Sur, together with its prime movers, internal and external stakeholders,local, municipal, and provincial government units, learners and the rest of the flock comprising the province, continues to provide equitable standard towards quality basic education, superior management, strengthened internal system of governance and ultimate dedication to serve the learners and people.

DepEd Agusan del Sur truly strives to sustain the magnanimous gains from its meaningful history in order to achieve its vision, mission and core values. With everyone’s involvement, the division had enormously solicited prestige influenced by the searing commitment unveiled from previous and present Schools Division Superintendents, their equally competent assistants, Education Program Supervisors, personnel, teachers, school administrators, students, parents, stakeholders, and the rest of the their support systems who gave a fair and square justification that indeed, DepEd AGUSAN SUR deserves its well-lived tagline “the home of golden opportunities” and “the home of the finest champions!”