The Committee on Education, Culture, and Arts of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cagayan, chaired by Board Member Jean Alphonse D. Ponce, convened a committee hearing to deliberate on two municipal ordinances referred to the provincial board for review and recommendation. Vice Chair BM Maria Rosario Soriano and member BM Rey Jirowell Alameda were also present during the session.

The first measure taken up was Municipal Ordinance No. 07, Series of 2025 of the Sangguniang Bayan of Gonzaga, entitled “An Ordinance Renaming the Callao Primary School to ‘Callao Elementary School’ Located at Barangay Callao, Gonzaga, Cagayan.”

The proposed renaming seeks to align the school’s official designation with its current level of operation and to conform with the Department of Education’s classification standards. During the discussion, the committee members noted that the Sangguniang Bayan should attach the approval of the School Board of Callao Elementary School as part of the supporting documents. However, the resource speaker from the Schools Division Office of Cagayan clarified that an endorsement from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is not required, since the measure merely reflects a transition from a primary to an elementary school, and does not involve the creation or renaming of a historically significant institution.

The second measure discussed was Municipal Ordinance No. 387-2025 of the Sangguniang Bayan of Sta. Praxedes, entitled “An Ordinance Mandating All Students Applying for Educational Assistance from the Local Government Unit (LGU) to Render Community Service Once per Semester, such as Tree Planting, Clean-up Drives, Blood Donation, and Other LGU-Initiated Programs.”

The proposed ordinance aims to promote social responsibility and civic engagement among student beneficiaries of the LGU’s educational assistance programs. During the discussion, the committee recommended refining the title of the ordinance to ensure clarity and precision. It was also suggested to replace the term “Tree Planting” with “Tree Growing” to emphasize sustainability and the continuous nurturing of planted trees as part of the program’s long-term environmental goals.

Following the deliberations, the committee resolved that both municipal ordinances be returned to their respective Sangguniang Bayan for further enhancement based on the observations, comments, and recommendations presented by the resource speakers and members of the provincial board.

Chairperson Ponce emphasized the importance of refining local legislative measures to ensure their compliance with existing national laws and educational policies.

The Committee on Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with municipal councils and educational institutions in promoting policies that advance quality education, cultural development, and youth empowerment throughout the Province of Cagayan.

-AH