Some staunch believers of excellence become the very personification of such virtue. They serve as sterling examples for those who aspire to do great things, either because they are destined to do so, or due to hardwork and diligence.

One of them is Dr. Benjamin Diaz Paragas. Endowed with great talents, superb intellect, and a heart for service, he set out to share his vision in education from his colorful journey as a bemedaled student in all levels, and becoming a classroom teacher in 1989, rising from the ranks as Master Teacher, School Head, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Schools Division Superintendent, Assistant Regional Director and as Regional Director. His stints in government service and his many involvements in his other fields of interests paid off dearly as he was awarded the following prestigious awards: Most Outstanding Alumnus of the University of La Salette, the ASN Trophy of Excellence by the Local Government of Santiago City, the Model Employee Award by the Local Government of Quirino, and the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award in 2001, the Public Servant of the Year, Excellence in Governance and Strong Institutions by the Nation Builders’ Awards 2025, to name a few.

The depth of his views and the vastness of his immersion and experience are shared in the various organizations where he is an active member. These include: The Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED), Quirino Public School Teachers, Employees and Retirees Association (QPSTERA), Philippine Association of School Superintendents (PASS), Philippine Educators’ Association of CESOs and Eligibles (PEACE), and the Association of DepEd Directors (ADD), to name some.

Always a better future for the Filipino children in his sight, Dr. Paragas has boldly taken initiatives in the Schools Division Offices where he served as Schools Division Superintendent, and in the two DepEd Regional Offices, DepEd MIMAROPA where he served as Regional Director for more than two years, and his home region, Region 02, when he came home in November, 2020. His pioneering innovations now make DepEd Region 02 successfully confront the challenges in basic education by implementing the Regional Education Development Plan (REDP).

Regional Director Paragas is one of the education leaders we have today whose vast and deep experiences and exposures in education and leadership and many other fields empowered him to make basic education both enabling and ennobling for our learners.

To some, he is a man of action who mobilizes everyone to work for the common good of the community. To others, he is a benevolent leader who leads and shepherds his people in marching towards achieving the goals in basic education in the region. In both instances, he is someone who exemplifies the real essence of leading with a heart.

He consistently maintained his admirable calmness and he lavishes every encounter with education leaders and front liners with his very powerful words. Oftentimes gentle, yet with emphatic strokes for healing and awakening.

These can be attributed to his impressive academic background and vast experiences in leadership. This man who started as a classroom teacher in Quirino is known in the community as someone who touched and inspired the people he vowed to serve-his students. Many would certainly affirm how he honed their character, solidified their values, and built their competencies.
After passing the stages of the Career Executive Service, he immediately assumed as the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of SDO-Isabela. He considered his baptism to the second level position “rewarding” for he was able to extend assistance to more people under his sphere.
The teachers. school heads, and all the people he worked with in Isabela during his time as ASDS often describe him as a soft-spoken person whose words mobilize everyone into action – all for the common good of the learners.

After his stint in the division of Isabela as ASDS, he assumed the SDS position in the Schools Division Offices of Santiago City, SDO Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya and then he returned to SDO Quirino, building solidified partnership with stakeholders and ensuring the delivery of quality education to all learners -especially those in the remote areas. In his time, he was able to establish systems and mechanisms that improved the delivery of basic education services.
His accomplishments and eligibilities resulted in a speedy promotion and eventually assumed the position of Assistant Regional Director, working in perfect rhythm with the then Regional Director Estela L. Carino. More doors of opportunities opened for him when he was designated Regional Director of DepEd MIMAROPA Region.
His coming to DepEd Region 02 is coupled with health crisis situation, but this courageous leader leads his troop to overcome the adversities and handles them well gracefully – with a touch of stern summons of what ought to be expected to dedicated and committed educators across the valley.

Aside from strategizing and mechanizing, he would like educators to leave indelible imprints in government service and inculcate such virtues in the field of work.

Today, DepEd Region 02 has accomplished so much in the education landscape. The direction he set for Region 02 shepherds everyone to make DepEd Dos, Ayos na Ayos!

REGIONAL DIRECTOR BENJAMIN D. PARAGAS, PhD, CESO III – the source of inspiration in marching towards basic education excellence and the man who names spells excellence.