The Department of Education (DepEd) affirmed its commitment to collaborate with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) during the oath-taking ceremony of new campus directors for the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system on Thursday.
DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara and DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. underscored the importance of working together to advance science education and cultivate the next generation of scientists and innovators.
“We are fully committed to working together. One thing we discovered, your song says that science is the foundation of a progressive nation. That’s the bottomline here,” Angara said, referring to the DOST Hymn.
Angara also recalled his years as legislator when he helped the agency secure additional budget for its facilities and operations.
“Before, I was your supporter at the Senate and now consider me as a fan. Thank you very much and congratulations. [I’m] looking forward to the inspired leadership of our three campus directors under our great Secretary Rene,” said the DepEd chief.
The ceremony celebrated the appointment of three PSHS campus directors: Dr. Rod Allan De Lara (Main Campus/Quezon City), Dr. Myrna Libutaque (Western Visayas/Iloilo City), and Dr. Mary Grace Navarro (Ilocos Region/San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur).
Both secretaries acknowledged their pivotal role in shaping young minds to contribute to the nation’s scientific progress.
Meanwhile, Solidum said the collaboration with DepEd can help strengthen the country’s science, technology, and innovation foundations.
“We are very happy with the appointment of former Senator, now DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, because we believe that the success of science, technology, and innovation really lies in our educational system starting from our youth,” Solidum said.
“We have been discussing how we can work together with them and help them as well in making sure that our reach would go beyond the Philippine Science High School system,” he added.
Other key officials of DepEd, DOST, and the PSHS system attended the ceremony held at the PSHS main campus in Diliman, Quezon City.
