Republic of the Philippines

Kalayaan National High School

Schools Division Office Caloocan City

History of Kalayaan National High School

The establishment of Kalayaan National High School (KNHS) originated from the urgent need to address the overcrowding in Bagong Silang High School during the mid-1990s. Mrs. Esmelita P. Ulangca, then Principal of Bagong Silang High School, recognized the necessity of an annex school to accommodate the increasing student population, as classrooms were already beyond capacity and many students were being denied admission due to the limited space (DepEd, 1998).

To resolve this issue, Mrs. Ulangca requested assistance from Congresswoman Aurora “Nene” Henson, who subsequently endorsed the proposal to Congressman Roberto Guanzon Jr. He facilitated the feasibility study and legislative processes for the establishment of a new high school (DepEd, 1998).

In 1996, construction began on two three-storey buildings, each with nine classrooms, situated in Phase 10, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, covering a land area of approximately 19,121 square meters. By May 21, 1997, while the first building was nearing completion, the initial enrollment commenced with 1,450 first-year students, organized into 14 sections and served by 18 teachers from Bagong Silang High School. At this stage, Mrs. Nenita Mercado, Head Teacher IV, was assigned to oversee the school’s operations. Despite the lack of complete facilities, the school endeavored to provide quality education to its learners (KNHS Archives, 1997).

Subsequently, an additional three-storey building with 15 classrooms was constructed. Upon its completion, 300 second-year and 212 third-year students, along with eight additional teachers, were transferred from Bagong Silang High School to the new site. This marked the significant expansion of KNHS’s capacity to serve the youth of the community. The development was supported through the collaborative efforts of parents, local leaders, and community stakeholders, led by Mrs. Nida Soriao (KNHS Archives, 1998).

The official inauguration of the new buildings occurred on February 6, 1998, attended by Congressman Guanzon, city and division officials, and both elementary and secondary school principals. On June 29, 1998, Division Memorandum No. 97, s. 1998 formally announced the establishment of Kalayaan National High School as a separate institution, in accordance with Republic Act No. 8644, entitled “An Act Establishing a National High School in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City to be Known as Kalayaan National High School and Appropriating Funds Thereof”. The law lapsed into effect on May 30, 1998 (Republic Act No. 8644, 1998).