The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) expressed its support Friday for the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’ alter-egos in the education sector, even as the group respects his decision to reorganize the members of his administration.
PBEd said it hopes Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director-General Jose Francisco ‘Kiko’ Benitez will be allowed to stay in their posts “to continue the vital reforms already underway.”
Angara and Benitez were among the long list of at least 44 Cabinet secretaries, who immediately complied and tendered their courtesy resignations on Thursday, after President Marcos announced his directive late Wednesday.
“DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and TESDA Director General Kiko Benitez have become a formidable tandem—bringing about an unprecedented level of coordination and collaboration between DepEd and TESDA,” PBEd said in a statement.
“This shared commitment to transforming the Philippine education system is essential to addressing the pressing challenges in learning recovery, skills development, and workforce alignment,” the group added.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Prospero ‘Popoy’ de Vera III, meanwhile, has yet to issue a statement or reaction with respect to President Marcos’ courtesy resignation order. De Vera has been running CHED since 2016 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
PBEd said it is aware De Vera’s term will expire next year, adding “we look forward to the President’s appointment of a successor who will sustain and build upon the gains made in aligning higher education with the evolving needs of the labor market.”
“We believe that coherent and connected leadership across DepEd, TESDA, and CHED is crucial to unlocking the country’s full demographic and economic potential,” it noted.
PBEd recognized the challenges confronting the Philippines’ education sector and vowed to continue working with the government to resolve these issues.
“With the ongoing crisis plaguing the education system, PBEd remains committed to working with leaders who understand that fixing the system will drive economic growth and enable Filipinos to lead productive lives,” the group said.
PBEd is an advocacy group led by the country’s top business leaders in the education industry. The organization helps drive conversations on systemic education reforms through private sector-led interventions and policy research.