PASIG CITY, 9 November 2024 — Education Secretary Sonny Angara administered the oath-taking of the appointed third-level officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office.

The Department officially swore in the 47 officials, including 22 Schools Division Superintendents (SDS) and 25 Assistant Schools Division Superintendents (ASDS) appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., upon the recommendation of Secretary Angara, from various regions across the country.

“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations sa inyong lahat. I’m confident that all of you will be instruments of change – of positive change in your communities. Alam naman ninyo siguro how crucial the role you will be playing in shaping our youth and hopefully involving our communities more in education,” Secretary Angara said.

The appointment of longtime officers-in-charge (OIC) in the field offices is one of Sec. Angara’s priorities upon taking the DepEd leadership, according to Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development Wilfredo Cabral who also shared his remarks during the ceremony.

“Kasi, alam ko dito, mayroong 10 taon bago na-promote. Mayroong limang taon bago na-promote. So, mayroon tayong culture of OIC kasi sa DepEd and it’s one of the issues that the Secretary is currently addressing,” Usec. Cabral shared.

DepEd likewise underscored the agency’s commitment to strengthening leadership within its ranks, as these new officials are expected to contribute to the Department’s mission to improve the quality of education nationwide.

Furthermore, Angara emphasized that education is a shared responsibility of the nation, highlighting the unique quality of Filipino citizens.

“Sabi ko nga, education is everyone’s business not just the Department of Education, it’s the business of families, it’s the business of communities, it’s the business of local governments, local legislators,” Sec. Angara noted.

“Let’s have that kind of spirit – bayanihan spirit – na unique sa ating mga Pinoy. Gamitin natin iyon sa education sector,” he ended.

The appointed SDS and ASDS also extended their gratitude to President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. for the confirmation of their appointment after serving years in an interim capacity.

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ERRATUM: A previous version of this press release stated that Sec Angara appointed the officials. It is President Bongbong Marcos who appointed them, upon the recommendation of the Education Secretary.

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