“It is my honor to serve the country as TESDA Director General,” Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said Friday, August 16.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Benitez as the new Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) following the resignation of Suharto Mangudadatu, Malacañang announced Friday.
Benitez said he will “aim to leverage innovation to upskill our youth and workforce to enhance their competitiveness in a changing world”.
Benitez is expected to assume his new role immediately and will outline his strategic priorities for TESDA in the coming weeks, the Palace statement said.
Benitez assured the people of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental that he may be moving to another role but he will not abandon them. “I will remain always to be at your service,” Benitez said.
It has not been announced yet who will be appointed caretaker of the 3rd District until a new congressman is elected in 2025.
Benitez said no announcement has been made but the caretaker could probably be House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Benitez thanked the president for “entrusting me with this important portfolio”.
“This new role is a full circle moment for me. It was my grand-aunt, Senator Helena Z. Benitez, who authored Republic Act No. 5462 which established the National Manpower and Youth Council, the progenitor of TESDA,” he said.
“The job market and our skills needs have immensely evolved since 1969. We face many challenges in catching up with digital transformation, for example, and adapting our workforce to the digital economy,” Benitez said.
But if industry, government, academia and tech-voc institutions work together, we will succeed, Benitez said.
Benitez, chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development in the House of Representatives, brings with him a wealth of experience in education, development, and public service, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.
His extensive academic background and commitment to sustainable development make him a well-suited head for TESDA, Garafil added.
“The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is confident in Benitez’s ability to lead TESDA toward achieving its goals of enhancing the technical skills of the Filipino workforce, promoting lifelong learning opportunities, and driving economic growth through education and skills development,” he said.
Benitez, who has a doctorate in Philosophy, is known for championing legislation that promotes new development paradigms balancing social equity, economic growth, and ecological sustainability, the Palace statement said.
His advocacy for digital transformation, education reform, and technological innovation will be crucial in steering TESDA’s programs to meet the demands of the evolving job market and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it added.
He will continue the administration’s commitment to upholding the vision of TESDA as a key player in nation-building by providing high-quality education and training to Filipino workers, particularly those in the most disadvantaged sectors of society, Garafil said.
The Office of the President extends its gratitude to outgoing Director General Suharto Mangudadatu for his dedicated service and contributions to TESDA during his tenure, he said.
Benitez said he would build on the accomplishments of Mangudadatu.
Benitez also thanked the different education organizations and his colleagues in the Education Commission 2 who nominated him, and his colleagues in the House, especially to Speaker Romualdez, for their support.
He also thanked the people of Negros Occidental, especially the local officials and civic groups in the Third District of Negros Occidental, for their support.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the appointment of his brother to TESDA serves as a recognition of his diligence and dedication to public service.
Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said the appoint of Benitez to TESDA will be advantageous to Negros Occidental and the Negros Island Region.*