DAVAO City National High School’s Special Program for the Arts (DCNHS-SPA) anticipates an increase in student enrollment following their string of accomplishments in 2024.
Principal Evelyn E. Magno said on February 6, 2025, that the program, which currently has 375 students, expects continued growth after SPA students won several prestigious awards, including a championship at the 2023 National Music Competitions for Young Artists and a victory at the 2024 Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan.
“Increasing siya yearly, nakita sa atoang mga parents, sa atoang community na nag excel gyud ang Davao City National High as far as the Special Program for the Arts is concerned (We see a yearly increase. Our parents and community recognize DCNHS’s excellence in the Special Program for the Arts),” she said.
Reynante A. Solitario, schools division superintendent of DepEd-Davao City, expressed plans to secure a larger budget to enhance SPA facilities, aiming for state-of-the-art resources to match students' interests.
“We want to have high-end facilities, state of the art, that would match the interest of the learners so napag-usapan na namin ito (we have discussed this) initially with the local school board that we will allocate budget for a special program for the arts,” he said, emphasizing the need for top-tier equipment and infrastructure as the program grows, especially with the introduction of media arts.
Solitario stated that while the annual budget has been approved, they will carefully review the appropriation. If necessary, they may push for an increase through the supplemental budget.
He added that if the increased budget is approved, they plan to allocate funds to three schools each year to enhance the facilities and equipment for students in the program.
Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, added that the SPA’s impact on students proves that art goes beyond aesthetics, inspiring societal change. She also passed an ordinance creating the Davao City Culture and Arts Office under the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) to address arts-related concerns.
To mark 25 years of the program, DCNHS-SPA unveiled a gallery exhibit at SM City Davao on February 6-7, 2025, showcasing student performances.
DCNHS is the region's pioneering school to offer this program, setting the standard for arts education outside Metro Manila. RGP