Major education groups have endorsed Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) to be the next director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The Philippines Business for Education (PBEd) and the Coordinating Council of Private Education Associations (COCOPEA) have sent letters to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. endorsing Benitez.
Benitez, when reached for comment told DIGICAST NEGROS on Sunday, July 28, that he is “honored by the endorsement and thanks them for their trust and support”.
However, “I prefer not to speculate on the President’s decision. I trust his judgment and will support whoever he appoints as the next TESDA director general,” Benitez said.
PBEd in a letter to the president dated July 24 endorsed Benitez to replace Director-General Suharto T. Mangudadatu, who resigned effective July 31.
“With decades of experience as a legislator, educator, and university president, we are confident in his ability to fulfill TESDA’s mandate of providing quality and relevant skills training that will boost Filipinos’ employability,” PBEd said.
Benitez is also one of the first proponents of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), where he has shown unwavering commitment for education reform, it added.
Benitez as vice chairperson of the Special Committee on Creative Industries can provide insights in improving the competencies of technical vocational learners through active industry collaboration, PBEd said.
COCOPEA, which is made up of five national educational associations – the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities, Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities , and the Unified TVET of the Philippines (UniTVET), has also endorsed Benitez and Fr. Onofre Inocencio Jr., Don Bosco Technical College Mandaluyong president, for the position of TESDA director general/secretary.
With extensive experience in educational management and a strong academic track record, Benitez is well-suited to lead the TESDA, said COCOPEA in its letter to the president.
Benitez has authored significant educational and child protection laws, including Republic Act No. 11899 creating the Second Congressional Commission on Education, and Republic Act No. 11648 providing for stronger protection against rape and sexual exploitation and abuse, it said.
“His professional background includes serving as president of Philippine Women’s University (2010-2019), Assistant Professor at the University of Washington-Seattle (2006-2013), and lecturing at several prestigious institutions. His extensive experience as a school administrator and teacher demonstrates his commitment to education,” COCOPEA said.
Education groups had also earlier nominated Benitez for education secretary.*