Fifty-nine years ago, amidst the vast agricultural land in Sitio Cuangao, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, the Eastern Pangasinan Agricultural School was established in September 1960 by virtue of RA 2430 sponsored by then Congressman Luciano Millan thru the initiative of Mayor Arturo Cachila and other community people.

 

It had its modest beginnings with its first principal Rogelio Pablo with only six teachers and five employees. The school first offered the Secondary Agricultural Curriculum for boys and the Secondary Homemaking Curriculum under the Bureau of Technical Vocational Education of the Department of Education. During its first year of operation, classes were held at the old municipal building until a permanent site was acquired at Cuangao, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan.

 

In 1961, school buildings were gradually put up including students and teachers cottages; school jeep and panel truck were purchased.

 

In 1963, Mr. Reynaldo Segui Sr. took over the management of the school from Mr. Pablo who was transferred to SEPNAS in San Carlos City. It was under the administration of Mr. Segui that the school was converted into college on March 27, 1965 and was named EPAC by virtue of RA 4178 again sponsored by its founder the late Congressman Millan. It started to offer 2 year agricultural technician curriculum in 1974 and the 4 year course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majors in Agronomy and Animal Husbandry in 1976. The first batch of 9 college graduates graduated on April 1, 1979 simultaneously with the 209 secondary school graduates.

 

Under PD 1497, the college offerings (Agricultural Technician, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture) were integrated into the Pangasinan State University which became operational on July 1, 1979. As such, EPAC became purely secondary under the direct supervision of the DECS with Mr. Vicente L. Ruma as principal.

 

In 1989, Mr. Ruma retired, Mrs. Clarita L. Pasion, Related Subjects Department head was designated Officer-In-Charge and subsequently promoted Principal II on December 1989 to June 22, 2006.

 

On March 1997, EPAC was transferred to and supervised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This was due to the implementation of Sec. 19 of the Special Provisions on the 1997 Appropriations Act which placed all technical and vocational institutions entire the Philippines under the supervision of TESDA. The school then offered a post secondary course, Food Service and Technology aside from its complete secondary curriculum.

 

During the school year 1998-1999 the school, because of its predominantly secondary enrolment was returned to DECS and remained with the Department as of date.

 

Through the years, the school has been producing quality graduates not only in the field of Agriculture but also in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Communications and Journalism and Education. The school has also been the seat of regional, divisional, congressional conferences and conventions. It has also won awards in the congressional, divisional, regional and national levels.

 

            From its humble beginnings, EPAC is now an instructional landmark in the town of Sta. Maria and the province of Pangasinan. It now has a total of 46  functional instructional rooms and 10 offices. From its first batch of 42, the school has now an enrolment of 1,754. From its 11 pioneering teachers and employees, it has now a total of  103 strong and dedicated faculty and staff, presently headed by its school head, Miss Phoebe F. Kagaoan, Principal IV.

 

Through the years, EPAC continues to cater to the growing needs of its growing studentry with its efficient teachers and employees and improved facilities solicited from kindhearted patrons through the initiative of its ever concerned former Principal, Clarita L. Pasion and was continued by the progress oriented Ms. Phoebe F. Kagaoan, with the parents headed then by Mrs.  Isabel N. Ancheta and SBM Noel A. Manicdo, Chair. of the Committee on Education of Santa Maria, Pangasinan and the all out support of the Local Chief Executive Hon. Julius C. Ramos Ramos and Sangguniang Bayan Members.

 

At 59, EPAC still under the able leadership of the kind – hearted and very discerning principal, Miss Phoebe F. Kagaoan, with its curriculum Strengthened Technical Vocational Education Program, adheres to its vision and mission and continues to provide quality education to our young generation.