Marcos names NYC commissioner-at-large

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has named a new commissioner-at-large of the National Youth Commission (NYC), the agency mandated to formulate and initiate national policies on youth.

Michelle Mae Gonzales, who replaced Laurence Anthony Diestro, took her oath of office before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday.

Gonzales will serve a term of three years, according to a document released by the Presidential Communications Office.

Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation Building Act signed in 1995 created NYC to be the policy-making and coordinating body of all youth-related institutions, programs, projects and activities of the government.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez has accepted the appointment as the new head of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Benitez said it is an honor for him to serve the country as the TESDA director-general.

Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Benitez’s extensive academic background and commitment to sustainable development make him a “well-suited head of TESDA.”

Benitez thanked the President for entrusting to him what he described as an “important portfolio.”

He also acknowledged those who nominated him for the position, including Speaker Martin Romualdez, different education organizations and his colleagues in the Second Congressional Commission on Education, local officials and civic groups in his district.

Benitez succeeded Suharto Mangudadatu, who resigned from his post to prepare for the 2025 local elections.

While he is moving to another role, Benitez said that he would not abandon his district. It was not determined who will replace him in the House of Representatives.

He also served as the chairman of the House committee on housing and urban development and vice chairman of the committee on creative industry and performing arts. — Gilbert Bayoran