ADMINISTRATION

As Comprehensians in this day and age, we ought to know the history of Tagum
City National Comprehensive High School or TCNCHS a learning institution that was
once known as Davao Provincial High School in the 80’s and consequently was renamed
as Davao National High School in the 90’s. It was never called Capitol High School, as it
was colloquially termed before although the school is located a few walking distance away
from the Provincial Capitol Building and approximately 3 kilometers away from the city
proper. Indeed, the school among many of its glorious feat and accolades today, has
contributed to the city’s primordial impact and value contribution to the socio-economic
growth of Davao del Norte as a province.
To rekindle, let it be known that the humble and momentous beginning of this
secondary education institution in June 1983 was brought about initiative and support of
the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte under the headship of the former Provincial
Governor Gregorio R. Dujali with the stewardship of the then DepEd School Division
Superintendent Eulalia B. Basanes.
DPHS, the abbreviation of the previous school name or title, was once hilariously
dubbed as the “provincial gardening school” (Dala Pirme Hait Sanggot) because it was
conceived, in the most practical sense, through the idea of the late Governor Dujali, to
start up a high school within the locale of the sports complex to take care of the
cleanliness and beautification requirement of the once swampy and grassy Sports
Complex. The people, on this foundational stage, have undeniably contributed in a more
significant manner, to the aesthetic orderliness of the various events held in the Sports
Complex back then which was then recognized as the Imelda Sports Complex. Then
there came the existence of the school during the momentous date of June 1983.
Upon the consent of the projected plan from the provincial leadership, Mrs.
Basanes personally screened teachers to be posted in the newly-built school. The seven
(7) pioneering educators who were instrumental to the formative foundation of the first
batch of HS students in the school year 1983-1984 were the following: Ms Florita J.
Vergara, Ms. Nena M. Oquias, Ms. Rosalinda P. Gado, Ms. Salvacion P. Mama, Ms.
Meguilita M. Lubiano, Mr. Isagani Batiao and Mr. Efren Baldonado. In the school year
1984-1985, Mr. Manuel C. Fuentes was considered as the first Principal who headed the
neophyte high school to its development.
However, Mr. Ramon Y. Alba the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent was
the acting Supervising Principal before Mr. Fuentes came. He let no grits unturned the
challenging demands of initiated school. He led out efforts for the growth and progress of
the then DPHS in all stages of its educational mandate. The significance of its existence
was felt forthwith in the community after its operation.
Meanwhile, a growing number of scholars during its first few years of existence
reached up to 206 comprised by the first and second year high school students. It also
accommodated numerous students – transferees from other schools within Tagum City
and nearby municipalities. It even made the pursuit of learners during those years to be
academically vibrant and competitive. Structurally, they occupied the Davao Sports
Complex gymnasium which is now named as RDR Gymnasium a living legacy borne out
of the leadership of former Provincial Governor Rodolfo del Rosario (RDR).
 In those early years of the school, classrooms were in a cubicle form. The
paraphernalia used to build the classrooms and offices were the generosity of Aguinaldo
Development Corporation through its manager, Mr. Regino Vergara. True to its
recollection, even in those simple beginnings of DPHS, its students already excelled in
various local and regional curricular and extra-curricular competitions.
Further, the cubicle forms were not used in a decade term after the late Dona
Margarita Magsanoc Aala extended hands and bestowed a 10,000 sq. meters of land
area adjacent to the sports complex for the exclusive location of the school. This became
the permanent site of the institution where the two first buildings with five rooms each
were implanted. In addition, the faculty team rose up to 21 in the second year of its
educational performance. While the student’s population continued its growth, doubling
its number in the subsequent years, the opening of the third and fourth year levels also
came to being. And then, there begun the first batch of graduates with only fourteen (14)
boys and nineteen (19) girls. Mr. Erwin R. Questo, now a successful engineer noted as
the ever first Valedictorian in the history of the school.
Thereafter, Mr. Fuentes who spent this three (3) fruitful years of administration
turned over the duties in Davao National High School to a full-time principal, Mr,
Alexander Quiba on July 1 1987, in his entire management period, the educators reached
to a hundred in populace and there was a dramatic growth in the number of learners who
enrolled in the school which totaling to three thousand high school students. It was the
starting point of the urge to build an Annex High School to solve the rising problem of
overcrowded classrooms. Eventually, Laureta High School Annex was established
in1998, it was realized through the idea of Mr. Quiba.
After the eleven abundant years in service of Mr. Quiba from 1987 up to his
retirement on February 1998, Mr. Teodorico C. Caballero assumed office in August of
1998. Mr. Caballero’s performance in Handling the learning institution reflected in his
garnered awards which where the “Huwarang Tanggapan” and 2nd placer in Region XI’s
Most Effective Secondary School Principal.
His efforts in improving the physical facilities and the enhancement of the
academic performance of the students and staff into fruition. Along with these remarkable
achievements, the school in 2005 was acknowledge as the first institution to implement
three curricula in the Division Office of Tagum City. The Special Programs in Arts and
Sports and the Revitalized Basic Education converted the talents and competencies of
students into application and improvisation through a “quality education mode”. This was
due to the school’s institutional vibrancies for learning. It was in this context that the
students levelled up towards excellent performances on various learning platforms
mounting numerous resounding accomplishments not only in the Division and Regional
levels but as well as nationally and at the international level.
In 2006, by the virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution, Davao National
High School was renamed as Tagum City National Comprehensive High School or
TCNCHS. Marked by its new name, the school continues to soar high, as it seized big
awards like Hall of Fame in the Search for The Most Effective Secondary School in Region
XI, hailing the regional search for 3 straight years.
For the continued infrastructure improvement, those few ground level buildings
were already substantiated by taller ones added with more facilities to accommodate the
rising number of enrollees in each subsequent school year. Henceforth Mr. Caballero’s
accomplishment reaped recognitions during the Davao del Norte Anniversary Celebration
in 2006. He was also given the chance to fly to Australia for a Study Tour sponsored by
the Basic Education Assistance Mindanao in the same year.
The School then welcomed the supervision of the first female principal in the
person of Ms. Melquiades H. Astorga in July 2 2009. During her stint as school
administrator, she maintained the outstsanding performance of the and implemented the
government thrust and programs, just like Mr. Quiba, Ms. Astorga also initiated the
existence of another Annex School which is now the Pandapan extension High School
situated in Brgy. Pandapan Tagum City in School year 2010-2011. This was materialized
in order to cater students inhabiting far from TCNCHS. Mr. Isagani Batiao and Mr. Dionisio
Siglos became the first assigned teacher in this newly opened learning institution.
When Ms. Astorga retired in June 2013, Mr. Rodelio B. Cartagena, Head Teacher
III assumed the duties as OIC – Principal. Mr. Cartagena only had his three-month stint
in this school but he proved no limits and continued to make the school shine through his
ardent moral ascendancy and creative competencies. He made a number of innovations
and accomplishments for the school utilizing his own unique capacities and charisma by
touching the hearts of our stakeholders the city and provincial government officials to
share donations both in cash and in kind. He was able to remarkably mobilize resources
for the schools continued development.
Another great milestone occurred in TCNCHS on September 27,2013, when it
welcomed a new breed of a leader who painstakingly held the banner high bringing
countless honors and recognition to the school, from La Filipina National High School in
Tagum City, Mr. Roger A. Martinez, MITE, took office and embarked certain initiatives
significantly promoting inclusive growth of this learning institution. He made sure that
through his leadership, he is being able to significantly involve not only the student’s in
the school’s development pursuit but as well as the parents, teachers and staff in all
transformative facets of TCNCHS. Since Day 1 of his leadership stint up to present the
school continued to harvest more recognition and accolades both locally and
internationally as depicted by the innovations he introduced in his administration. It is
during his time the DPHS-DNHS-TCNCHS alumni association is revitalized. He is being
able to mobilized strong networks with the alumni association along with other important
stakeholders. Mr. Martinez calm yet powerful presence and motivating attributes as a
School Head made this collaboration possible. Still at any given year during his stint with
the school, the students with their coaches continued the legacy of bringing pride and
honor to local and national competition, may they be in academics, in performing arts and
in sports. TCNCHS, have become relentless in delivering more fame and colors as shown
by not only sharpening its institutional capacities to a heightened level but also by way of
strengthening public and private partnership (PPP) modality of development.
True to what it is today, the school has already blossomed to becoming an A-1
secondary school in the region, acquiring more school buildings to accommodate the
3,593 currently enrolled high school students. More importantly, the Senior High School
building has already been realized holding much higher the banner of the K-12 program.
It has accommodated learners who have special skills in Arts and Design which includes
Music, Dance, Media Arts and Visual Arts, Technology, Vocational Livelihood which
comprises Housekeeping, Food and Beverages Service, Beauty Care Wellness
Massage, Front Office and Electronic Products Assembly and Services. Meanwhile
another two building construction projects are still in progress under his tutelage.
To the present time through the leadership of a new principal, Mrs. Judith
Magsipoc Ed. D the school has gone through many great milestones and
accomplishments through the leadership of these administrator who have contributed
much in its development. The previous and present teachers, alumni, and learners of the
school are considered as active development participants because everyone toiled gain
these achievements.
Due to this feat, it is quite fitting to remember the entire stakeholders of TCNCHS
as we truly are the products and the “fruit” of the school that was once known to be just a
swampy and grassy place at the helm of the Provincial Government Center. Likewise, the
alumni who are also very proud of what progress has brought to their alma mater have
never stopped supporting the school at all times when opportunity calls them to partake.

Tagum City National Comprehensive High School or TCNCHS a learning

institution that was once known as Davao Provincial High School in the 80’s
and consequently was renamed as Davao National High School in the 90’s.
It was never called Capitol High School, as it was colloquially termed before
although the school is located a few walking distance away from the
Provincial Capitol Building and approximately 3 kilometers away from the
city proper. Indeed, the school among many of its glorious feat and
accolades today, has contributed to the city’s primordial impact and value
contribution to the socio-economic growth of Davao del Norte as a province.
To rekindle, let it be known that the humble and momentous beginning of
this secondary education institution in June 1983 was brought about
initiative and support of the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte under
the headship of the former Provincial Governor Gregorio R. Dujali with the
stewardship of the then DepEd School Division Superintendent Eulalia B.
Basanes.
Further, the cubicle forms were not used in a decade term after the late
Dona Margarita Magsanoc Aala extended hands and bestowed a 10,000
sq. meters of land area adjacent to the sports complex for the exclusive
location of the school. This became the permanent site of the institution
where the two first buildings with five rooms each were implanted. In
addition, the faculty team rose up to 21 in the second year of its educational
performance. While the student’s population continued its growth, doubling
its number in the subsequent years, the opening of the third and fourth year
levels also came to being. And then, there begun the first batch of graduates
with only fourteen (14) boys and nineteen (19) girls. Mr. Erwin R. Questo,
now a successful engineer noted as the ever first Valedictorian in the history
of the school.
True to what it is today, the school has already blossomed to becoming an
A-1 secondary school in the region, acquiring more school buildings to
accommodate the 3,593 currently enrolled high school students. More
importantly, the Senior High School building has already been realized
holding much higher the banner of the K-12 program. It has accommodated
learners who have special skills in Arts and Design which includes Music,
Dance, Media Arts and Visual Arts, Technology, Vocational Livelihood
which comprises Housekeeping, Food and Beverages Service, Beauty Care
Wellness Massage, Front Office and Electronic Products Assembly and
Services. Meanwhile another two building construction projects are still in
progress under his tutelage.
To the present time through the leadership of a new principal, Mrs. Judith
Magsipoc Ed. D the school has gone through many great milestones and
accomplishments through the leadership of these administrator who have
contributed much in its development. The previous and present teachers,
alumni, and learners of the school are considered as active development
participants because everyone toiled gain these achievements.
Due to this feat, it is quite fitting to remember the entire stakeholders of
TCNCHS as we truly are the products and the “fruit” of the school that was
once known to be just a swampy and grassy place at the helm of the
Provincial Government Center. Likewise, the alumni who are also very
proud of what progress has brought to their alma mater have never stopped
supporting the school at all times when opportunity calls them to partake.