Vice President Sara Duterte began her tenure as Secretary of Education (DepEd) on Monday by selecting her predecessor, Leonor Briones, as her consultant.
“She was always generous with her advice. And I’m truly happy that she committed to stay on as a consultant for the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Education,” Duterte said.
The new Education chief lauded the department’s workforce led by Briones for continuing to provide quality education to learners.
“Headed by Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, DepEd adopted and implemented bold, but necessary measures to provide Filipino children with accessible, quality education, ensuring that learning is unhampered, and our learners are not left out, while also ensuring the economic welfare of our teachers and the non-teaching personnel working under the organization,” she said.
“Secretary Liling is a force, and I am humbled and honored to follow the footsteps of a much admired academic, public servant, social activist and changemaker. I would also like to acknowledge the equally devoted men and women, our undersecretaries, assistant secretaries who supported Ma’am Liling in the last six years,” she added.
DepEd chief Sara Duterte selects Briones as consultant
Duterte praised Briones for always being a diligent and committed public servant who is unselfish and committed to her job under enormous pressure.
“Secretary Liling and the whole Department of Education organization never cowered in the face of disapproval, public frustration and pressure. When some sectors called for an academic freeze, the response was academic ease. It was a brilliant, appropriate and timely response, made with will and resolve and foresight that our children’s learning is shielded from the adverse impacts of the pandemic,” she said.
Duterte then lauded Briones for completing the senior high school curriculum, which “provides graduates with necessary skills relevant in today’s dynamic workforce.”
“Indeed, you have broken a glass ceiling in Philippine education history. Ma’am Liling, you have completed your mission, you fought the good fight, and we are all here today to celebrate the victories that you and the entire Department of Education have collected over the past six years of the Duterte administration,” she said.
“As I take the task of being the next Secretary of the Department of Education, I take inspiration from you, from your courage, dedication, your commitment, your integrity, selflessness and your grace,” she added.
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