Cebu Provincial Board Endorses Bill for Second Schools Division Office
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has taken a significant step toward enhancing educational administration in the province by passing a resolution in support of House Bill 7034. This legislation, proposed by First District Representative Rhea Mae Gullas, seeks to establish a second Schools Division Office to address the growing demands of Cebu's extensive school system.
Resolution Details and Rationale
Authored by 2nd District PB Member Neneth Reluya, the resolution was approved during the PB's regular session on Monday, March 23, 2026. Reluya highlighted that Cebu province currently operates with only one schools division office, which oversees 44 municipalities across seven legislative districts. This setup excludes highly urbanized and component cities, which maintain separate division offices, creating an administrative burden.
According to the resolution, Cebu province encompasses 1,361 schools, including 1,143 public and 218 private institutions, with over 700,000 learners enrolled. The existing DepEd Cebu Province division manages more than 26,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel, leading to significant strain on administrative and support services.
Challenges and Proposed Solutions
The current office, located in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, faces numerous challenges in delivering efficient services. Issues such as distance, travel time, traffic congestion, and high transportation costs for teachers and stakeholders hinder operational effectiveness. Additionally, the resolution pointed out limited health personnel resources, with only one medical officer, 16 dentists, and approximately 60 nurses serving more than 600,000 learners.
The PB asserts that establishing a second division office would ensure more efficient school supervision, faster transaction processing, and improved access to services for educators and stakeholders. Under the proposal, the new office will be temporarily housed at the Gabaldon Building of San Fernando Central School in North Poblacion, San Fernando town.
Next Steps and Advocacy
The Provincial Board has urged the immediate passage of the bill and directed that copies of the resolution be sent to key stakeholders, including the Senate and House education committees, the Department of Education, DepEd Region 7, and the Schools Division Superintendent of Cebu Province. This move aims to expedite legislative action and foster collaboration for the benefit of Cebu's educational community.
