Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday led the inauguration of the Schools Division Office (SDO) of the City of Carmona in Cavite, following the city’s conversion into a component city under Republic Act No. 11938 enacted in February 2023.

For years, Carmona’s schools were part of the Schools Division of Cavite Province—one of the largest in CALABARZON. With that division overseeing 345 schools, the 11 schools in Carmona often had to compete for attention and resources with larger municipalities.

“Bago maging component city ang Carmona, ito ay nasa ilalim ng SDO Cavite Province—isa sa pinakamalalaking dibisyon sa CALABARZON,” Angara said. (“Before becoming a component city, Carmona was under the SDO Cavite Province—one of the largest divisions in CALABARZON.”)

“Ngayon, magkakaroon na ng sariling SDO funds ang lungsod, na tiyak na makatutulong sa mga guro, kawani, at mag-aaral dito sa Carmona,” he added. (“Now, the city will have its own SDO funds, which will surely help teachers, personnel, and students here in Carmona.”)

Cavite 5th District Representative Atty. Roy Loyola credited then-Senator Sonny Angara, now serving as Education Secretary, as one of the strongest advocates of the measure in the Senate.

Now leading the Department of Education (DepEd), Secretary Angara moved swiftly to turn the law into action, initiating the creation of Carmona’s own SDO to ensure that the city’s teachers, personnel, and learners receive more direct support and resources.

During the ceremony, Angara thanked Rep. Loyola, Mayor Dra. Dahlia Loyola, and city officials for their commitment to education and congratulated the pioneering officials of SDO Carmona, led by OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Joepi Falqueza and OIC-Assistant SDS Wilson Centeno.

He reaffirmed DepEd’s commitment to the city’s education programs under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., saying that localized structures allow the Department to respond more effectively to learner needs. The initiative also aligns with the Second Congressional Commission on Education recommendation to rationalize DepEd’s structure for equitable and efficient service delivery.

Angara shared that Congress recently adjusted funding priorities, reallocating certain flood control funds to expand DepEd’s budget and increase investments in schools and teachers nationwide.

Funded through a P30-million national subsidy under the Financial Assistance to Local Government Unit – Other Infrastructure Program, the SDO Carmona embodies the principles of transparent, ethical, and accountable governance while promoting accessible and inclusive basic education.

“The creation of SDO Carmona is a story of persistence, partnership, and the promise that every new city brings new hope for our learners,” Angara said.

SDO Carmona is now the 25th division under DepEd CALABARZON Region, led by Regional Director Atty. Alberto Escobarte.