Dr. Jay S. Montealto, CESO VI, was formally installed as the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent (OIC-SDS) of Dapitan City on June 25, 2025.

He was officially sworn into office by Dr. Ruth L. Fuentes, CESO III, Regional Director of DepEd Region IX, during an installation ceremony held at SDO Dapitan Conference Hall.

Regional Director Fuentes challenged Dr. Montealto to surpass his accomplishments in Isabela City, urging him to double his efforts in Dapitan and uphold unwavering loyalty to public service.

Prior to his assignment in Dapitan City effective June 16, 2025, Dr. Montealto served as the OIC-SDS of the Schools Division of Isabela City for nearly two years.

Dr. Montealto succeeds SDS Felix Romy A. Triambulo, who officially retired from service on June 11, 2025.

Doing the Right Thing

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Montealto elicited Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development as foundation for personnel and office performance.

Citing the theory, he emphasized the importance of the postconventional stage, where moral reasoning is guided by universal ethical principles and personal conscience—highlighting that, above all, leadership is about "doing the right thing."

Moreover, Dr. Montealto also underscored family values as an apect in leadership and acknowledged feedback as a key driver for personal and institutional improvement.

He then pledged to lead initiatives aiming at DepEd Dapitan City’s development, including its bid to be converted into a medium division and its ongoing request for the construction of a new division office.