Dr. Maria Ines Casona Asuncion is a distinguished Filipino educator and public servant currently serving as the Director IV (Regional Director) of DepEd Caraga (Region XIII). With a career spanning over three decades, she has become a hallmark of “shared leadership,” moving through the ranks of the Department of Education from a classroom teacher to the highest regional office.
Educational Foundation:

Dr. Asuncion’s professional journey is firmly anchored in public service. Since 2012, she has advocated for law enforcement, peace and order, while consistently championing early literacy and reading competency among young learners.

She holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd-English) from the University of the Philippines Diliman and furthered her studies at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), earning both a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) and a Doctor of Education. Her academic rigor is matched by her professional credentials, holding CESO III eligibility and passing the Career Executive Service Board examinations with high marks.

Professional Trajectory of Meritocracy:

Classroom Teacher. She began her career as a classroom teacher in 1995 at Holy Cross of Mintal, later rising to the ranks of Master Teacher and subsequently serving as School Principal in Davao City.

School Leader. As a school leader, she was the subject matter expert in eLearning and Constructivist approaches to teaching and learning, contributing to the improvement of instructional design and technology-enabled pedagogies in the region. She further expanded her technical expertise serving as Materials Development Manager and literacy specialist under the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM–AusAID) Project, where she helped develop learning resources and training interventions supporting literacy and learning continuity in Mindanao.

Superintendency. As a Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) across several divisions, including Panabo City and Davao City, she was recognized for improving participation and literacy rates. Her commitment to inclusive education was further demonstrated when she established the Balay Paglaum for Indigenous Peoples (IP) learners in Panabo City Division, a flagship initiative that successfully reduced dropout rates and increased school participation among IP learners, a model now regarded as a best practice in culturally responsive education.
Regional Leadership. She served as Assistant Regional Director in Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) and Region XI (Davao Region) before assuming the role of Regional Director for DepEd Caraga in May 2023.

Legacy and Impact. RD Asuncion is a staunch advocate of the MATATAG Agenda, with a strong focus on fostering inclusive and learner‑centered environments. She has been instrumental in spearheading flagship initiatives such as the Learning Continuity and Re‑integration Program for Displaced Learners, Compassion for Ailing Teachers, and the Garden to Table School Business Model. Under her leadership, the Caraga region also delivered historic achievements, including the overall championship at the 2025 National Schools Press Conference and the record‑breaking medal haul at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa. Her leadership is defined by unwavering accountability, high‑fidelity curriculum implementation, and the empowerment of both learners and educators across the region.