DepEd-12 Assigns New Regional Director For Region 12

The Department of Education (DepEd) has designated a veteran educator from Zamboanga Peninsula as its new regional director for Region 12 or Soccsksargen.

This came after Education Secretary Armin Luistro ordered the reassignment to DepEd Region 10 or Northern Mindanao of Dr. Allan Farnazo, the Region 12 director, effective last Jan. 11.

Farnazo formally turned over the post on Thursday morning to Dr. Arturo Bayucot, the former schools division superintendent of Zamboanga del Norte, in a simple ceremony held at the DepEd-12 regional office in Koronadal City.

He expressed gratefulness to the cooperation and support given by local officials and DepEd personnel in the region’s nine school divisions during his tenure as regional director.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Farnazo, who hails from Sto. Nino town in South Cotabato, assumed as regional director of DepEd-12 in August 2013.

Prior to his appointment in Region 12, he served as officer-in-charge of DepEd-Region 10, which is based in Cagayan de Oro City.

“In my earnest effort, I have done what I was supposed to do (for the region). But I must also admit that there are certain things that I failed to accomplish along the way,” Farnazo said.

Under his leadership, DepEd-12 emerged as one of the top regions in the country in terms of accomplishment.

The region bagged the hosting of the 2016 National Festival of Talents and National Schools Press Conference that are slated on Feb. 22 to 26 in this city and nearby Koronadal City.

For his part, Bayucot vowed to continue with the reforms started by Farnazo and introduce new innovations and improvements as well.

“Right now, I’m still doing some environmental scanning and after that, I will engage with our personnel here at the regional office and the school divisions,” he said.

In terms of plans and operational aspect, the official noted that DepEd-12 had been “in good hands.”

“There were so many things that were already put in place. But we should not also be complacent about it because we need to continue executing and make our region better,” he added.(PNA) FFC/AVE/HST