What does Lagao National High School (Main) stand for?

Lagao National High School (LNHS) is a public secondary school

in General Santos City, South Cotabato. It provides high school
education to both junior and senior high students. Currently, its
senior high school department offers strands under the Academic
and Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) tracks. This academic
institution is duly recognized by the country’s Department of
Education (DepEd).

THE HISTORY

Lagao National High School (LNHS) was established as an

annex school of General Santos City High School in 1998.
This was a joint project of Schools Division Superintendent
Lucrecia M. de Leon, and the Office of the Congressman
Adelbert W. Antonio.

Mr. Jacobino Java, the principal of Dadiangas West

Elementary School, accommodated in his school the 692 first
year emrollees for school year 1988-1989 and the first 23
teachers hired by the Department of Education Culture and
Sports. Mrs. Esther T. Ladera was designated as Principal-
In_charge of the Annex.

In 1990, Dr. Constancia Q. Hintay, Schools Division

Superintendent appointed Veronica C. Punzalan as Officer In-
Charge of the annex school. The growth in enrolment and the
lack of classrooms demanded for more flexible management
that classes had to be divided into two shifts. The first year
attended the morning shift while the third year followed the
afternoon schedule, with classes ending at 8:00 o’clock in the
evening. Meanwhile, the second year classes remained at
Dadiangas East where Mr. Ferrer provided more rooms to
accommodate the increase in enrolment.
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The mercurial growth in enrolment mobilized the local
government to action. A search for a school site was
launched: The Office of the City Mayor through Mayor
Rosalita T. Nuñez hired 30 more teachers and paid them
through the Local School Board funds, the Office of
Congressman Antonio meanwhile, undertook the steps
towards the separation of the annex school from General
Santos City High School.

In mid-1990, DECS and Congressman Antonio caused the

purchase of two-hectare land worth P2.4M from Mr. Sofronio
G. Manansala at Purok Malakas. Brgy. San Isidro. Preparation
for the transfer of annex school to the site went on in earnest.
Finally, in May 11, 1991, the ground breaking ceremony took
place at the site. In June 1991, the annex school transferred to
the site. Mrs. Virginia C. Rebucan was designated Teacher-in-
Charge. DECS at that time has a new Schools Division
Superintendent in the person of Dr. Constancia Q. Hintay
 Under the dynamic leadership of SDS Hintay, parents,
Parents Teachers Community Association (PTCA) Officers
and Community officials were mobilized to provide the school
with classrooms and other facilities. Parents and
stakeholders wholeheartedly supported the school. The
lumber was solicited from coco plantation owners through the
efforts of SDS Hintay. Donation of lumber came from the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. While
Bayanihan Sawmill sawed such lumber for free.
Consequently, 20 nipa makeshift classrooms were put up.
Classes went on in these classrooms with only the nipa root
secured both the students and teachers from any form of
elements.

The parents, PTCA Officers, teachers, DECS, local

government and barangay officials worked together to
provide the school with the resources needed to make the
school environment more conducive to learning. And soon
enough, these selfless efforts made way for the hiring of
additional new teachers and in Aril 2, 1992, the School
conducted its first Commencement Exercise with 292
graduates. The graduation stage was provided by Mr. Carlos
Yusepeng and Mr. Lob of Taiwan who augment the
contribution of the parents of the graduating students.

Finally, in 1993, Lagao National High School became

independent from its Mother School. Mrs. Virginia C. Rebucan
was designed Teacher-in-Charge. The Annex of Dadiangas
East Elementary School was retained under the management
of its Teacher-in-charge, Mrs.Rafaelina Hitalia. Later, Annex
became Irineo Santiago National High School of Metro
Dadiangas.

It was also in 1993 that Lagao National High School

answered the clamor of the officials of Bryg. Mabuhay for a
high school and opened an extension school at Brgy. under
the leadership of Mr. Francisco M. Espinosa. In 1995, the
extension school obtained its independence and was named
Engracia L. Valdomar National High School.

Meanwhile, in 1995, Mrs. Rebucan became the full-

fledged principal of LNHS, She provided the leadership to 122
teachers and staff and over 3 000 students then. Three years
after its independence from its Mother School. LNHS became
a performing school in the Division of General Santos City.

In 1999, the growth in enrolment at the main campus

could hardly be contained due to influx of enrolment that
another annex school had to be opened in Barangay City
Heights. From City heights, due to the need to establish a
secondary school in Barangay San Isidro, this new annex was
transferred to Barangay San Isidro.

Aside from the Basic Education Curriculum, the school

created special programs to address specific learning needs.
The Evening Class Special Program was opened in 2009 while
the Special Education Program was establishes in 2009. The
Special Science Class was created in 2010.
 Mrs. Virginia C. Rebucan was able to lead the school as
school principal for 21 fruitful and successful years. She
retired on September 30, 2012.

After the retirement of Mrs. Rebucan, Mr. Mario M.

Bermudez, the Officer In-Charge Assistant School Division
Superintendent of General Santos City served as the
concurrent principal of LNHS for 3 months.

Then, in January 2013, Mr. Efren B. Lemana was

designated as the School Head of Lagao National High
School. It was during his time that Special Program for the
Arts, Special Program in Journalism, Special Program in
Sports and Open High School Program were conceived.

In 2015, Mr. Angelito C. Llanos was assigned as the

School Head of LNHS. During his term, the Special Science
Class, now known as Enhance Science Education Program,
gained its regional recognition. With the promotion of Mr.
Llanos as District Supervisor in 2016, he was replaced by Mr.
Rustico S. Pelonio, Jr.

Lagao National High School is now an institution to

reckon with. The achievements and recognitions of its
teachers and students in different disciplines from the
division level to the national level manifest the holistic and
integral development of each of the members in Lagao
National High School community.