PBEd recommends persons for DepEd

MANILA, Philippines — Education reform advocate group Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) has made a final appeal to President Marcos to choose someone with experience and competence as the next Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, naming four individuals who could best fill in the position.

“The prompt appointment and seamless transition of the education secretary is crucial in addressing the education crisis. More importantly, the choice of an experienced, qualified, competent and dependable secretary must be prioritized over political considerations,” the PBEd said in its letter addressed to Marcos dated June 24.

PBEd recommended four “exceptional leaders” for Marcos’ consideration for the post, namely; Senator Sonny Angara, Social Welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian, Negros Occidental Third District representative Jose Fracisco Benitez and education and community development advocate Milwida Guevara.

“To effectively lead the country out of the learning crisis, the new education secretary must be a competent manager with a good track record, immersed in the sector and an advocate of transparency, participatory governance and data-driven decision making,” the PBEd said.

Marcos had earlier said he will name the next education secretary by the end of this week.

The appointee will be replacing Vice President Sara Duterte, whose resignation as DepEd secretary will take effect on July 19 though the resignation was announced by the Malacañang and Duterte herself on June 19.

The group hailed Angara as “one of the most seasoned, hardworking and productive members of Congress,” noting that he was the one who filed Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 which called for the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM-2).

Angara currently serves as one of the commissioners of EDCOM 2, co-chairing the Governance and Finance Standing Committee. His second and last term as senator is set to end in 2025.

“He has advocated policies that have significantly impacted education, employment, entrepreneurship and the economy in general,” the PBEd said.

Meanwhile, the PBEd said Gatchalian also exhibited “commitment and competence” fit for the DepEd post, citing his award-winning and sustainable reforms in Valenzuela City’s education sector when he was still a mayor.

The PBEd also credited Benitez as also one of the first proponents of EDCOM 2, currently serving as its co-commissioner and co-chairman of the Early Childhood Care and Development and Basic Education Standing Committee.

The group noted that aside from being a lawmaker, Benitez also previously served as president of the Philippine Women’s University, thus he has not only academic but also managerial and public policy expertise fit for the top DepEd post.

The PBEd said Guevara, president of the Synergeia Foundation, a non-government organization that promotes literacy and community development, has the wealth of experience not only in basic education delivery but also in public finance and governance.

The PBEd noted that Guevara also served as undersecretary of the Department of Finance from 1991 to 2000.

Nonetheless, the PBEd said it trusts the wisdom of the President in choosing the right person for the post. The letter was signed by PBEd president Chito Salazar.

Meanwhile, senators are seeing colleague Angara as a good replacement as DepEd secretary.

“He would be an excellent choice,” Senate President Francis Escudero said as he confirmed that people close to President Marcos solicited his view.

The Senate President said he was not certain whether his recommendation had reached President Marcos.

He expressed belief that Angara, who is a lawyer, is highly qualified for the position of DepEd secretary.

But Escudero has no plans of making a direct recommendation of Angara to the President.

Like Escudero, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito is supportive of the idea that Angara would be the next DepEd secretary.

“Sen. Sonny Angara would be a good choice for DepEd secretary. Hope he will be considered,” Ejercito noted. — Cecille Suerte Felipe