Taking a giant leap toward school empowerment, the Quality Assurance Division (QAD) of DepEd Regional Office IX and the Dapitan SDO Team conducted on January 30, 2026 an on-site validation for the conversion of Potungan National High School, Sulangon National High School, and Baylimango National High School into Implementing Units (IUs).
The transition from Non-Implementing Unit to Implementing Unit (IU) status marks a significant milestone for these secondary schools. This decentralization strategy grants schools the authority to manage their own financial accounts and budgets, designed to cut red tape and accelerate the delivery of education services directly to the learners.
The validation was spearheaded by QAD representative Dr. Winston Clapano. The monitoring team also included: SDS Jay Montealto, SGOD Chief Sherlito Sagapsapan, SEPS for SMME Nueva Andag, Budget Officer Rosa Belinda Gemperoso, and Planning Officer Anthon John Soriano.
This initiative is anchored in the Division’s SHRINE Strategic Framework and adheres to the strategic levers of Decentralization under the Department’s 5-Point Reform Agenda.
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During the visit to Sulangon NHS, the validation coincided with a student symposium for the School-Based Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) Elections. SDS Jay Montealto addressed the assembly of teachers and learners, sharing the Department’s dedicated efforts in upgrading their school and explaining how the journey toward becoming an Implementing Unit ensures a more responsive and well-equipped learning environment.
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In his address to school leaders, SDS Montealto likened the schools’ growth to children finding their independence within a family.
"Schools, just like children in a family, will reach a point of maturity where they must become independent," SDS Montealto remarked. "The Division Office will always be there to guide them, acting as a steady father figure as they navigate this new responsibility."
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To ensure a successful conversion, SDS Montealto underscored the need for rigorous planning, from mastering the School Improvement Plan (SIP) to executing early procurement. He emphasized the vital synergy and interconnectedness between various offices, noting that a school's success as an Implementing Unit relies on how well government programs and school operations harmonize. By fostering this organizational maturity and maintaining strict financial oversight, school leaders ensure they are ready to be responsible stewards of their own growth.
In a strategic move toward enhancing the financial welfare and digital integration of its workforce, the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Dapitan City officially hosted representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for a division-wide Opening of ATM Savings Accounts for all DepEd Dapitan personnel.
This collaborative effort was spearheaded by the division's top leadership, where the Landbank delegation was warmly received and entertained by Schools Division Superintendent Jay S. Montealto, CESO VI, and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Aurelio A. Santisas, CESO VI.
Joining them was Division Accountant Olga P. Miranda, CPA, who provided essential technical oversight to ensure the enrollment process met all fiscal requirements and accounting standards.
The activity is rooted in the national government’s mandate for the Digital Transformation of Government Services and financial inclusion.
As the official depository bank of the Philippine government, Landbank’s engagement with SDO Dapitan aligns with Commission on Audit (COA) circulars that promote the use of Advice to Debit Accounts (ADA).
This transition is highly relevant as it replaces manual, cash-based payroll systems with a more secure, efficient, and transparent digital framework.
Beyond mere salary disbursement, the initiative empowers teaching and non-teaching personnel by giving them direct access to modern banking features, such as real-time fund transfers, online bill payments, and secure savings management.
To ensure a smooth and orderly transition, the division has established clear guidelines for all personnel involved in the enrollment.
Each employee is required to present two valid government-issued IDs and a 1x1 ID picture to the Landbank representatives during the scheduled on-site caravan.
Once the accounts are processed, personnel are encouraged to immediately activate their cards and enroll in the Landbank Mobile Banking App to maximize the digital benefits.
By bringing the bank directly to the division office, SDS Montealto and his team are not only streamlining administrative tasks but also prioritizing the safety and convenience of every DepEd employee in Dapitan City.
The Commission on Audit (COA) spearheaded a Comprehensive Audit Exit Conference on March 4, 2026, to evaluate the fiscal standing of the Schools Division of Dapitan City. Led by Regional Supervising Auditor Isis Josephine M. Cabrera (State Auditor V), alongside Audit Team Leader Ivon Marie A. Bulabon and Team Member Mary Ann E. Ferraren (both State Auditor II), the COA team presented key financial findings to the SDO management. Under the guidance of Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Jay S. Montealto and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Aurelio A. Santisas, the conference included the active participation of Implementing Units (IUs) Dapitan City NHS and Ilaya NHS, serving as a rigorous platform to align the division’s financial operations with national standards.
During this COA-led dialogue, division chiefs and section heads focused on tightening internal control mechanisms to ensure the disciplined safeguarding of public funds. By committing to resolve all audit observations presented by the COA team within the required timeframe, SDO Dapitan and its participating schools emphasized a culture of transparency and accountability. This oversight by the Commission ensures that the division’s resources are managed with integrity, directly supporting the educational needs of the learners and the broader community through improved fiscal stewardship.