Baguio City council former SDS Olarte

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY- The city council last week collectively approved resolution 018, series of 2014 expressing sympathies and condolences to the family of former Schools Division Superintendent Jose Olarte who passed on, last Feb. 12, here in the city.

Born Feb. 15, 1925 at Agoo, La Union, Supt. Olarte acquired his Elementary Teacher Certificate (ETC) at the Philippine Normal School in Manila in 1948, Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) from the Baguio Colleges Foundation, now University of the Cordilleras in 1956, Master of Arts in Education at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 1970 and Academic Requirements for Doctorate from the University of Baguio in 1980. Through this, he “actualized the ideals of a spirited educator, able to mold young minds into becoming productive and responsible citizens,” the resolution reads. 

Mang Joe, as he is fondly called, was married to Macrina Laranang Olarte and they are blessed with four children, 16 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

From being an elementary school teacher in Benguet in 1948 to Schools Division Superintendent of Baguio and Ilocos Sur from 1979 to 1990, he was also associate professor at BCF/UC from 1958 to 1985, and professional lecturer at UP Baguio Graduate School.

Supt. Olarte has garnered many awards through service and significant contribution to the community, namely; Leadership Recognition Award and Centennial Leadership Award by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Baguio and Philippines, respectively; Most Outstanding President of the Philippine Government Retirees Association (PGRA) in 2007; Outstanding Senior Citizen by the Baguio Elderly Asssociation in 2004; Bronze Tamaraw Medallion Award by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines; Outstanding Citizen of Baguio in 1997 in the field of public education; Holy Name Man of the year in 1995; Outstanding Educator of the Year in 1989; and one of the the Top Ten Ilocano Educators in 1983 awarded in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The Olartecouple were recognized in 2013 with the Outstanding Senior Citizens Community Service Award, Family category.

Supt. Olarte “has touched the lives of people from all walks of life,” as “a public educator, committed citizen, advocate of the elderly and environment and a loving and responsible family man,” with “his humble beginnings, his principles, his services, and his giving of himself,” the resolution states.

He was also actively involved in church activities; being a Knight of Columbus and a member of the Holy Name Society. Together with his wife, he was immersed in senior citizen activities, as with environmental concerns, wherein the regreening of Bayan Park was endeavored.

As Senior Citizen Official for a Day (SCOFAD), he suggested an integrated approach to the solid waste management problem of the city, in coordination with the barangays.

Supt. Olarte was also barangay adviser of East Bayan Park from 1975, and manager of Teachersville Subdivision from 1994 up to the time of his death.