MBTF SEEKS SDS BRAVO’S EXTENSION IN CITY

DAGUPAN CITY – Mayor Belen T. Fernandez is hoping that the Department of Education (DepEd) will grant her request for the extension of Schools Division Superintendent Froserfina J. Bravo's tour of duty for one and a half more years in Dagupan City.

Dr. Lorna Bugayong

This is in lieu of the appointment of a new superintendent when the schools opened its classes on June 5. 

Fernandez is making the request in order not to affect preparations of the city’s 70^th year anniversary as Bravo is the chairman of the city's platinum anniversary celebration.

Reports have reached Fernandez that DepEd has appointed a new Schools Division Superintendent with a CESO ranking in the person of Dr. Lorna G. Bugayong to take the place of Bravo.

Bugayong was San Carlos City’s Schools Division Superintendent prior to her appointment to Dagupan City.

“We are not questioning the competency of the new SDS neither the decision of DepEd, but what we are concerned of is our preparations for the city's  platinum year,” stressed Fernandez.

She expressed her concerns if the changing of the guards at the DepEd was in conformity with Section 99 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines.

Dr. Froserfina J. Bravo

Fernandez pointed out that section 99 of RA 7160 particularly states that DepEd shall consult the local school board, of which she is the chairman, on the appointment of division superintendents, district supervisors, school principals and other school officials.

“We are not particular on the qualifications of our SDS whether he/she is a CESO holder or not. What matters to us most are the person’s integrity, attitude and character. I should say the decision is unfair to me as the city mayor under the terms provided by section 99,” said Fernandez, citing that like other mayors placed in the same situation, she was not consulted on the matter.

Mayor Fernandez underscored how the LGU and the Schools Division under Bravo’s term consolidated their works together that led to the city’s good performance in the R1AA and the Palarong Pambansa, among others.

“We are already 80 percent done with our work at cleansing the division under Madam Bravo, but there’s more to do. Mdm Bravo admittedly was the one who was able to curb graft and corruption in the schools division and the LGU has a good working relationship with DepEd because of the good coordination between our office and that of Madam Bravo,” said Fernandez.

Fernandez has not yet met Dr. Bugayong as of press time. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/June 6, 2017)