HISTORICAL TIMELINE

In 1907, the very first building of the very first school in Pasay City (then a town of Rizal Province), Pasay City Central School, was constructed. It was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 1801 during the administration of Mayor Mauro Reyes through the proposal of Councilor Herminigildo Dela Rosa.

Pasay Central School was closed when World War II broke out on December 8, 1941. It was reopened in March 1945 with a new name, Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School, and later was renamed Padre Burgos Elementary School. Years later, annexes were constructed within its compound.

In 1947, Mr. Zacarias G. De Vera assumed leadership as the first Schools Superintendent after World War II. Since then, Pasay City has continuously served as a catalyst in providing the youth with more effective and relevant educational experiences.

Following the retirement of Mr. De Vera in 1954, the Division was successively led by five Schools Superintendents: Mr. Santiago S. Dizon (1954–1961), Mr. Julio D. Balmes (1961–1964), Mr. Jose D. Forbes (1964–1969), Mr. Jose C. Saddul (1969–1974), and Mr. Saturnino R. Magturo (1974–1976).

During Mr. Magturo’s administration, on July 1, 1975, with the implementation of the Department of Education and Culture (DEC) Integrated Reorganization Plan, Pasay City was integrated with the municipalities of Makati, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pateros, and Taguig to comprise the Fourth District of the Metropolitan Manila Area under Region IV.

In 1977, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 879, the Southern Tagalog Region was separated from the Metropolitan Manila Area. Subsequently, in 1978, Metro Manila became an unnumbered region known as the National Capital Region (NCR) by virtue of Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1396. Thus, DEC-NCR was established, with Pasay City and six other municipalities comprising its Fourth District under the leadership of Mrs. Bienvenida B. Espiritu (1976–1987), the city’s first woman Schools Superintendent.

Dr. Filemon S. Salas assumed office in 1987 and led the Division in strengthening educational leadership and school governance. During his administration, the Division supervised 13 General Education Supervisors, 20 Public Schools District Supervisors, 10 Secondary School Principals, and 108 Elementary School Principals and Head Teachers. Assistance was likewise extended to the Technical High School of the Makati Polytechnic Community College, which was directly supervised by the National Capital Region.

In June 1994, the final year of Dr. Salas’ administration, the Schools Division of Pasay City was reborn following the regional redivisioning aimed at enhancing coordination with local government units. The former Fourth District was restructured, and the municipalities previously clustered with Pasay established their respective Schools Divisions.

Upon Dr. Salas’ retirement in 1995, Dr. Ricardo T. Sibug served as Schools Division Superintendent until early 1999. He was succeeded by Dr. Rosalinda V. Tongco (1999–2010) and Dr. Estrellita V. Puti-an, who served as Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent from 2010 to 2014.

In June 2014, Dr. Alejandro G. Ibañez was designated as Acting Assistant Schools Division Superintendent. Following the retirement of Dr. Puti-an in September of the same year, he briefly served as Acting Schools Division Superintendent until the appointment of Dr. Evangeline P. Ladines as Schools Division Superintendent. Dr. Ibañez later assumed the role of Officer-in-Charge of the Schools Division of Malabon City in January 2015.

Under the stewardship of Dr. Evangeline P. Ladines (2014–2019), the Schools Division Office of Pasay City achieved significant milestones in infrastructure development and educational reform. Dilapidated school buildings were replaced, additional classrooms were constructed, and numerous programs and projects were implemented to improve the quality, accessibility, and relevance of education across the Division’s public elementary, secondary, and special schools.

In October 2019, Dr. Loreta B. Torrecampo assumed office as Schools Division Superintendent following the transfer of Dr. Evangeline P. Ladines to the Schools Division Office of Parañaque City.

From 2019 to 2023, Dr. Loreta B. Torrecampo led the Division during one of the most challenging periods in the history of education. As schools faced the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided steady leadership that ensured the continuity of learning while safeguarding the welfare of learners, teachers, and personnel. Through close collaboration with school leaders, local government officials, parents, and community partners, the Division successfully implemented learning continuity measures and gradually resumed face-to-face classes. Her administration also strengthened school governance, expanded professional development opportunities for personnel, improved the delivery of learner support programs, and promoted a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence. Her years of service left a strong foundation upon which the Division continues to build.

Under the leadership of Dr. Joel B. Torrecampo, the Schools Division Office of Pasay City continues to pursue its commitment to providing quality, inclusive, and responsive basic education. His administration has focused on strengthening instructional leadership, improving school operations, supporting the professional growth of teaching and non-teaching personnel, and fostering stronger partnerships with stakeholders. Guided by the Department of Education’s goals and responsive to the needs of the community, the Division continues to implement programs and initiatives that promote learner achievement, effective governance, and continuous improvement across all schools.

Today, the Schools Division Office of Pasay City continues its journey with a renewed sense of purpose, building on the achievements of its past leaders while responding to the changing needs of education. Guided by dedicated public servants and supported by its stakeholders, the Division remains steadfast in its mission of ensuring that every Pasayeño learner receives quality education and is prepared to become a responsible, productive, and lifelong learner.