Dr. Margarito B. Materum, CESO V, stands as a beacon of transformative leadership in the Philippine education sector. A proud product of the Philippine Normal University (PNU), Dr. Materum’s journey has been shaped by the institution’s enduring values of truth, excellence, and service, values he has since carried into every role and responsibility throughout his distinguished career. His commitment to quality education and visionary leadership has left a lasting imprint on the institutions and communities he has served.

At the core of Dr. Materum’s achievements is his instrumental role in establishing two premier institutions in Valenzuela City: the Valenzuela City Science High School (now Valenzuela School for Mathematics and Science) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela. Both continue to thrive as leading centers for human resource development, a testament to his ability to lay strong educational foundations that endure and evolve.

During his tenure as the school head of Valenzuela National High School, he led the institution to both national and international recognition. Under his guidance, the school earned accolades in academic competitions and pioneered a student exchange program with Minnesota, USA, broadening students’ horizons and elevating the school’s global profile.

Dr. Materum’s innovative leadership extended across different school divisions. In SDO Taguig-Pateros, he launched a SEF-funded tutorial program to help learners recover from learning losses caused by the pandemic. At SDO-San Juan, his efforts led to the opening of three integrated schools, one school extension, and two senior high schools, as well as the introduction of four specialized programs: Journalism, The Arts, a high school SNED program, and senior high ALS. These initiatives reflect his deep understanding of educational equity, access, and excellence.

Equally notable is Dr. Materum’s embrace of innovation in teaching and learning. Under his leadership, schools adopted digital tools such as an automated system for school operations, an online LMS for senior high school subjects, coding integration in science lessons, augmented reality applications, and automated assessments, modernizing classroom instruction and management to better prepare students for the future.

With numerous accolades and a legacy defined by innovation and inclusive leadership, Dr. Materum continues to embody the ideals of Inang Pamantasan. Dr. Materum stands as an inspiring figure whose work reflects the transformative power of education, leadership anchored in service, and a lifelong commitment to nation-building.