July 1, 1947 will always stand as red-letter day in the educational system in the municipality of Duenas. It was in that day when the first public secondary school in this town opened its doors to the public. Unfazed by the great challenges ahead, both the founders and donors made a concerted effort in realizing their dreams of providing the growing number of students from this municipality a secondary education in their preparation for a career.
Then mayor Andres Arenga spearheaded in establishing the school by creating working committees which eventually formed a nucleus of doing the job-acquisition site, building construction, enrollment campaign, faculty and financing. It was not an easy one and thankless job. But the determination of these people survived till everything run smoothly. In its first year of existence, 213 students enrolled catering first and second year only. In its first decayed operation, classes were held in temporary rustic huts. The pioneer teachers were composed of Miss Maruja Ferrer (noe Mrs. Mruja F. Ganado), Miss Paz Lamasan, Mr. Jose Azarcon, Mr Fortunato Naranja, Mr. Pacifico Anung, Mrs. Corazon Ninte, and Mr. Federico Salazar. Mr. Jose Ledesma acted as the first school principal. On April 21, 1950, the first batch of graduates-38 in all, 21 boys and 17 girls marched to receive their diploma. Ludovico Cocjin and Josefina Soncaya were class valedictorian and salutatorian respactively. With the help of Ex- mayor Heber Catalan, in June 1965 House Bill No. 13991 sponsored by then representative Jose Aldeguer creating the school into national funded one and appropriating a yearly fund of P100,000.00 was signed into Republic Act No. 4342. The law was implemented on July 1, 1970 and the amount was released on February 1971. On the same day, the former name Dueñas High School was changed to Dueñas General Comprehensive High School.
The concern and attention given to the school by his predecessor, Mr. Jose Ledesma and Mr. Jesus Tupaz was held on by Mr. Fermin Monserate when he was the school's principal in 1970. It was in his administration the the school's Power House was constructed. In 1971, Miss Davidica Aseco, with dedication manned the school.. Four years later in 1975 Miss Anita Jamero run the school. Knowing fully well the needs of the school, more building were put up such as the Administration, C.A.T., H.E. and the Agricultural Arts Building. Seeking for professional advancement, Miss Jamero left the school and Miss Ladia manage the school and it was under her administration that for the first time the Dueñas General Comprehensive High School CAT unit got first place in the Annual CAT tactical Evaluation. Thinking to improve the other aspects of the school, Mr. Wilfredo Lena provided the school with one unit six by six truck and one unit jeep. He, too purchased more vocational equipment which are of great help in developing talents and vocational skills of students. In 1976, Mrs. Ester M. Ledesma got hold of the position as the school's principal and it was in her term that the construction of the Industrial Arts, Sciences and H.E. Building have been completed.
Though, Mrs Otilia M. Parian had the list and the shortest term as the school's principal, she did well in serving the Dueñas General Comprehensive High School. When Mrs. Teresa C. Tobias came in 1982 another development in the physical aspect of the school was noted. A guard house and other buildings which cater to the personal necessities of the students were constructed. In 1985, Mr. Zebedeo S. Ganado was the school's officer-in-charge. Like what other administrators have done, additional buildings were constructed to accommodate the need of the increasing population of the school.
Various stride in all aspects of development was considerably instituted when Mr. Mario M. Celo took the helm in running the school. Reforms for the betterment of the students were implemented. Among them were the strict implementation of school rules and regulations, renovation of old buildings and construction of new ones, purchase of books, laboratory equipment and other facilities, improved student performance and he brought graduate extension program of West Visayas State University and Panay State Polytechnic College of the campus in school year 1988-89 and 1992-23 respectively. Working hand in hand with the Congressman of the Fourth District Of Iloilo Hon. Narciso D. Monfort, the Mayor Venancio L. Laplana, jr. Vice Mayor Pablo Landar and local officials a P5.7 million infrastructure project which include the two-storey building was realized in July 12, 1991.
Armed with enthusiasm, the dynamic and one of the most effective secondary school principals in the person of Miss Sarah T. Librodo was installed in January 10, 1994. It was during the time of Miss Librodo that the school experienced the happiest and the saddest moment of its life. An adept administrator who knew her craft well, placed the school into the limelight. For the first time that was in school year 1995-96, Dueñas General Comprehensive High School was evaluated First Place in the Fourth District of Iloilo during the search for Most Effective Secondary School. Likewise, for the first time, the school's head teacher, Mrs. Theresita L. Lagdamen was awarded First Place, Most Effective Support Staff. Because of this achievement, the school had received a cash award of P50,000.00. This indeed was a great joy and honor to Dueñas Comprehensive High School. However, this joy was replaced by that gloomy atmosphere when the school lost one of its effective teachers in the person of the late Herminia L. Lagumbay and other incidents that might have marked the name of DGCHS.
For the meantime that the school had no principal due to the transfer of Miss Librodo to Leonora Salapantan National High School, Mrs. Angeles S. Tiples, Head teacher III, acted as the Officer-in-Charge of the school from April to June, 1996.
Mrs. Lorie B. Caspillo is the school's principal for the year 1996-97. There may be storm that would either rock or ruin the school's foundation nevertheless this made the institution stands strong and bravely face its commitment in delivering quality education to its clientele founded on its vision, mission and philosophy.
As the years go by Dueñas General Comprehensive High School continue to grow and from the small cogon hut branched out concrete school buildings. This year an additional one unit classroom amounted P250,000.00 was constructed through the efforts of Hon. Narciso D. Monfort. With regards to instruction, developing the total potential of the child in all aspects was given ample importance. Teachers attend graduate classes so as to improve their competencies and provision of all experiences necessary in learning were also given. The school, conscious of its mandate in excelling in all aspects of education, consistently fared well in congressional, divisional, regional and national contests. To this school year 1996-97 brought good harvest when it reaped agian the award as one of the Most Effective Secondary Schools. Corollary to this, Mrs Lorie B. Caspillo was awarded Most Effective Secondary School Principal. Because of the school's achievement it again recieved a cash award of P20,00.00. The history of DGCHS would never be complete without mentioning that eight of its teachers were awarded Most Effective Secondary School Teachers for year 1996-97. They are Mrs. Leonidas P. Palma, Miss Belinda A. Abonador, Mrs. Susana P/ Lalantacon, Mrs. Bernadita P. Yturriaga, Mrs. Evangeline B. Lagarde, Mrs. Marilyn G. Jison, Mrs. Juanita A. Lagradilla and Mr. Adriano Antiquena.
At present, Mr. Pablo C. Palencia is the school's principal. Under his administration several accomplishments and development were noted. It includes the restructuring of the Educational Management and Information Service ( EMIS), reviving the maximum use of the abandoned barangay building and it is now utilized as classrooms for all agricultural classes, construction of three-classroom and one clssroom building, providing offices to Mathematics and Values Education Department; reviving the piggery project for instruction purposes, improvement or development of the school campus beautification and cleanliness program, utilization of all vacant areas of the school into a productive endeavor, construction of eight (8) cabinets made out of the mahogany lumbers, construction of the annex Bodega for the storage of the used materials that could be recycled later on, leveling of the race track and athletic field ready for athletic activities and opening of the Special Science Class for school year 1998-99
School year 1997-98 ended with some of its teachers recognized as Outstanding Teachers. They are Mrs. Anabelle L. Forro, Mrs. Juanita A. Lagradilla, Mrs Nena D. Dela Cruz, Mrs. Corazon L. Dalde, Mrs. Heide P. Landar, Mrs. Luisa L. Lapastora, Mrs. Victoria A. Aguaras, Miss Delia C. Cabrias, Miss Eva C. Bergante, Mr. Romeo G. Labandera, Mr. Jerry D. Jison, Mrs. Merlinda H. Sumaray, Mr. Remo C. Lagarto and Mrs. Rutchel Diaz.
In its 50 years of existence, we can vividly see how DGCHS have progressed academically and physically. The school present has 88 personnel and total students population of 1,647. As to this date DGCHS which towers over a land area of 7.8 hectars enclosed by concrete fencing through the P.T.A. and donations has produced 9,199 graduates which categorically level to other graduates of the country's cream secondary institution.
