A BRIEF HISTORY OF CLARET COLLEGE OF ISABELA DE BASILAN
Our Lady of Fatima High School was established by the Rev. Fitzpatrick, SJ, in June 30, 1949, in order to respond to the urgent need of providing a quality education in Basilan, dedicated to the spiritual and cultural upliftment of the community through its catholic educational endeavor as envisioned by the Jesuits. Isabel Cathedral is now located. Two years later, after the Jesuits turned over its administration to the Claretian Missionary Fathers (CMF), it made its first graduation. From 1950 to 1977, the Claretian Missionaries took over the administration of the school. With its steady growth in population, the Rev. Jesus Gonzales, CMF, initiated the construction of the school building at its new site along Roxas Avenue and worked for the conversion of the school into a complete secondary institution. Subsequent Claretians Fathers added other improvements in the school library, science laboratory and sports facility to enhanced the quality of the wholistic or integral development of the students. The school year 1965-1966 marked the growth of Our Lady of Fatima High School as it opened its gateway to tertiary education with Education and Commerce as pioneer courses. This was also the year when the school’s name was changed to Claret College of Isabela (CCI), in honor of its patron saint, St. Anthony Mary Claret, who founded the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Coupled with this event was the opening of the complete Elementary Department. From 1977-1999, the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC, a congregation dedicated to education and the care of the sick took over the reins of the school’s administration. Under their able leadership, the school continued to grow with the opening of the Night High School, other college courses, students’ community participation and emphasis on faculty and staff development. The hard work and feminine leadership of the St. Paul de Chartres Sisters brought the school to its many glorious moments. In August 1999, the School Board, heeding the recommendation of the SPC Sisters appointed Rev. Jumoad as officer-in-charge, and then, as the school director. During his administration, the Millenium and the Administration buildings were constructed. With his election as the new Bishop of the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan, rev. Valeriano S. became the officer-in charge. The next five years saw the return of the Claretian Missionaries to the management of the school. This time, the improvements were focused on the organizational development of the school. The Human Resource Management Office was established which assisted the school president in tasks such as human resource planning, formulating and implementing performance management system, selection and recruitment and other policies. The Human Resource Management Office also spearheaded the review and formulation of the Vision and Mission Statement, Core Values and Objectives and strategic plans and programs of the school. From 2009 up to 2019, the Board of Trustees of Claret College of Isabela decided to give back the management of the school to the Diocesan Clergy of Basilan under the stewardship of Rev. Santiago Agoo, DCI, followed by Rev. Noelito Salandron and Rev. Edgar Rivero. During this period, CCI offered Tertiary curses including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor in Elementary Education, Bachelor in Secondary Education, Bachelor in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Information System, Two-year computer Technology and Two year computer Secretarial. Aside from complete Basic Education, Elementary, Junior High School and Senior High School. The immense pastoral needs in the Prelature of Isabela de Basilan necessitated the presence and ministry of the diocesan priests in the different parishes. This challenge confronted the new Prelate of Basilan to request the Society of the Oblates of Notre Dame to send Sisters to take on the task of administering the school. So, in the school year 2020-2021, at the onset of the COVID 19 Pandemic, Sr. Alecia Dumaboc, OND, was appointed as School President, with Sr. Marie Emar, OND followed by Sr. Genevieve Portia J. Damaso as Campus Ministry and Religious Education Coordinator and Sr. Marilou Remandaban Imutan, OND as Human Resource and Development Officer. The administrative challenges are compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and other external factors. CCI on its diamond years is supposed to prepare for PAASCU accreditation. So alongside with the new normal pressures, and the need for thorough and diligent documentation in preparation for PAASCU, CCI also had to deal with physical “face-lifting” and restructuring. But with a sense of faith, optimism and hope, based on God’s faithfulness, Claret College of Isabela courageously looks forward to be of greater service to the people of Basilan with new course offerings and opportunities, building on the gains and successes which had been achieved by the past servant leaders, serving as a strong foundation of what and who we are now – Claret College of Isabela. We had grown. We had been gifted so we have to give. As our diamond gift to the people of Basilan CCI continues to shine even in the face of the Pandemic. To God be the Glory!
