Rama says no to holding in abeyance appointment of DepEd superintendent

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is against the order of the Department of Education leadership holding in abeyance the appointment of the new city schools division superintendent.

This after DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro issued an order last October 13 advising Dr. Virginia Zapanta that her reassignment as the new city schools superintendent was held in abeyance.

“The sudden reversal of your order is quite disconcerting,” Rama said in his letter addressed to Luistro. Rama sent the letter last week.

On August 17, DepEd Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera informed DepEd-7 director Dr. Juliet Jeruta that Zapanta will be replacing Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud as Cebu City’s Schools Division superintendent.

It was on September 2 when Jeruta implemented the order.

However, Luistro advised Jeruta to hold in abeyance the implementation of the reassignment order on October 1.

With this, Rama formally asked the secretary to reconsider the order.

“I’m however console by the fact that you are a just and God-fearing man and that the reversal is a product of miscommunication,” Rama said.

He objected to the holding in abeyance the implementation of the reassignment of Zapanta since there is a DepEd Department Order 7 series of 1999 which states that “transfers or reassignments of assistant division superintendent and school’s division superintendent shall be done every five years.”

He said Angtud has been the schools division superintendent of the city for close to six years.

He, though, said he continues to respect Angtud.

He said he does not know Zapanta personally, adding that he met her once during her courtesy call in September.

Rama asked Luistro to take his objection with “utmost equity and objectivity” considering that the city will be working together with the department in the implementation of K to 12 basic education program.  (FREEMAN)