The leadership of Deped-Palawan categorically supports the creation of additional provinces.
Dr. Natividad Bayubay, assistant superintendent and currently the officer-in-charge of DepEd Division of Palawan, said that smaller area of responsibility also means easier of management, that’s why they give thumbs-up in dividing Palawan into three.
In the recent “Kapihan sa PIA,” a monthly activity of the information-arm of the national government, the Philippine Information Agency, Dr. Bayubay announced that for them, “the creation of three provinces…is a welcome development.”
“Definitely, ‘pag ka the smaller ang size ng isang division, better ang management….So, we are looking forward with that [move of the Provincial Government of Palawan],” she said. “[It is] well supported by the DepEd.”
She reiterated that their Department is very positive on this issue and encourages the people “to see the brighter side of the matter.”
“Kapag tatlong division [kasi ay] may tatlong superintendent, tatlong ASPS, tatlong accountant….We have more offices [that could attend the needs of the schools and students],” Bayubay said.
The DepEd also assures their constituents that even if changes will be implemented, it will not affect their budgetary needs.
“Hindi naman [ito makaaapekto] kasi the budget of the Division Office is determined by the number of schools, number of the teachers and the students. So, kanya-kanya naman ‘yung mga location ng mga bata, ng mga teacher, ng mga school, so, there’s definitely division of resources in the Division Office,” she further said.
Meanwhile, if the upcoming plebiscites will favor the proponents’ side, new Capitol buildings will be constructed in the municipalities of Taytay for Palawan del Norte, Roxas for Palawan Oriental and Brooke’s Point for Palawan del Sur, the so-called mother province. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10620 approved last No. 12, 2019, simultaneous plebiscites will be conducted to 23 municipalities of the province on May 11, 2020, but excluding the City of Puerto Princesa for being a highly urbanized city.