Mountain Province now opens first-ever integrated school

Bontoc, Mountain Province -  Mountain Province's first-ever integrated school is now operational, marking a new chapter in the province’s education system.

The recently approved integrated school in the province is the Monamon Proper Integrated School (formerly Monamon Proper Elementary School (MPES)), situated at Tapapan Diversion Road in the town of Bauko.

Schools Division Superintendent Benilda Daytaca, according to DepEd Tayo Mountain Province, officially turned over the documents of the approved application to the school’s stakeholders during her visit on June 24, 2025 – becoming the first-ever integrated school in the area.

Currently manned by 12 teachers and one project development officer, Monamon Proper Integrated School has become an institution offering both elementary and junior high school programs following the approval.

The integrated school is serving 205 learners—133 in elementary and 72 in junior high school.

On June 16, DepEd–CAR Regional Director Estela Cariño assessed the school’s readiness for the current school year during an onsite monitoring visit, which prompted the approval of the application.

Stakeholders, meanwhile, see the school’s milestone as a step toward closing education gaps in remote areas.

To recall, the then MPES was named the Regional Best Implementer in the Elementary and Small category and even clinched a Hall of Fame award in 2016, besting 7 other elementary schools in Cordillera.

The award was given during the conduct of the 2016 Search for Brigada Eskwela Best Implementing Schools held at the Stephen N. Capuyan Hall, DepEd-CAR, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet on September 29, 2016.