HISTORY OF ESCUELA SECONDARIA SEÑOR DE SALINAS

FAMIE C. APAY, Ed. D.

As an answer to the Department of Education’s call for full implementation of the K-12 Basic
Education Curriculum, Rosario National High School readied itself to embrace the change. From the
time the news sparked, the school head, Dr. Famie C. Apay was trying to find measures on how it will
be carried out.
A series of consultation and meeting with the DepEd-Division of Cavite Office was geared up
in establishing a senior high school building eyed to rise on RNHS ground. Despite of its assurance, the
project did not materialize due to legal issue on the land ownership and title. But the principal was
strong-willed to look for contingencies where to set up the building.
In 2015, a panel meeting dubbed as “Pulong Bayan” was initiated by the Local Government. It
was headed by the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Jose M. Ricafrente Jr. which was also participated by Ms.
Cherrylou D. De Mesa, OIC, Schools Division Superintendent. Aside from certain matters in public
governance, discussion on senior high school was also highlighted. This was where the LGU showed to
support whatever advocacies and undertakings with regards to education. The said event gave way to
constant meetings with the mayor, the district supervisors, Dr. Diana P. Topacio and Mrs. Merle A.
Baybay. Dr. Apay opened up the request for a lot to put up the building for Grade 11. Certain
circumstances led to the decision of the local government to offer the rooms situated at the second
floor of the Linkod Bayan Building parallel to the Town Plaza. The rooms previously occupied by the
students of PIMSAT which later on transferred to the main campus in Bacoor City. Likewise, the
vacated offices of the old Engineering Building was also permitted to be used. However, the said
buildings were not yet ready upon the opening of classes on June 13, 2016. The classrooms somehow
needed to undergo repair and repaint. This rose for an immediate action by the principal to let the
Grade 11 students use 6 classrooms of RNHS. The said school became their first home for more than
a month. The first batch of teachers was composed of 10 whose names appeared at the Rosters of
Qualified Applicants for SHS. Nine were former teachers from the Junior High School namely: Mrs.
Ana Maria L. Josue, Mr. Michael Joseph A. Lapid, Mrs. Marilyn B. Encarnacion, Mrs. Evangeline A.
Mercado, Mrs. Marites G. Solis, Ms. Toni Marie E. Binalla, Mr. Angelito V. Sanchez, Mr. Regie D. Pugay
and Mrs. Ana Liza A. Dalangin. Mrs. Ma. Margie S. Custodio, a new teacher completed the list.
However, the principal saw the need for additional teachers to join the group. They were also
teachers from RNHS who qualified in the Batch 3 of applicants. They were: Mr. Rizaldy E. Encarnacion,
Ms. Lunalyn L. Penales, Ms. Jocelyn R. Manzano and Mr. Abraham A. Abriza. Teachers from the Junior
High School, Ms. Marra Babes V. Tolentino and Ms. Roma Gonzales rendered a period to teach
specialized subjects (Hairdressing and Contact Center Servicing) respectively. SHS teachers and
students worked hand in hand in preparing the classrooms from both buildings on July 26, 2016
which marked as the first day in the new school for Academic Year 2016-2017 for 214 students.
The old Engineering Building became known as TVL (Technical-Vocational-Livelihood) Building
which housed four classes: Animation, Contact Center Servicing, Bread and Pastry and Hairdressing.
This is where the principal’s office, Bread and Pastry Production Shop and a Practice Room for
Hairdressing. Students of Animation and Contact Center Servicing could use computers donated by
DepEd as part of its computerization program. TVL Track was headed by Mr. Michael Joseph A. Lapid.
On the other hand, Linkod Bayan Building could also be known as the Academic Building
which housed students taking up General Academic and Accountancy, Business and Management. A
faculty room was also situated in the building. Academic Track was headed by Mrs. Ana Maria L.
Josue.
The local government became a good benefactor to senior high school for the air condition
units, television sets and other equipment that were needed by the students.
Mayor Ricafrente dubbed the name of the school as Escuela Secondaria Señor de Salinas
(ESSDS) since the school was eyed as a Stand Alone. Being as such, the school should submit
necessary requirements to the Division Office for approval. Inasmuch as it was to be called by that
name, instead, it was then renamed as Rosario Integrated Senior High School which was still under
the umbrella of Rosario National High School due to lack of other papers. It was then a proper timing
when the Division Office opened the reconsideration for being a Stand Alone. While waiting for the
approval, the school uses ESSDS for its name. Spearheading the operation of the school as OIC is Dr.
Apay.
The school has been doing well in its first year of operation. Supports were coming from the
Department of Education and the Local Government Unit as per instructional materials were
concerned. Sudden change happened due to transition in the administration since Dr. Apay had to be
transferred to another school as her term ended last July 2017.
At present, ESSDS caters two grade levels with Mrs. Emelina L. Barlao, Principal IV of Rosario
National High School, acting as the OIC.