July 14, 2021 – Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones on Wednesday credited the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the assistance of her fellow Cabinet secretaries in supporting the learning continuity efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd).

During the Pre-SONA Media Launch Virtual Presser hosted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Secretary Briones highlighted remote learning implementation as one of the proactive approaches of the Duterte administration in managing global and national crises.

“Ang pinaka rallying cry ng administrasyon na ito at ng DepEd: education must continue. May bagyo, may lindol, may giyera, may pandemic, patuloy ang edukasyon. Kaya mahalagang mahalaga, maaga pa, tinitingan na ng Presidente ang possibility ng remote learning. Kasi kung di pwede magface to face classes ang mga bata hindi ibig sabihin titigil na ng pag-aaral nila.” Sec. Briones emphasized.

“Kasi kung di pwede sa libro, pwede sa telebisyon, pwede sa radio, pwede sa iba’t ibang communication. Ito lahat dinedevelop at pinopondohan ng ating pamahaalan. Nung lumabas ang PISA results ng 2019, lalong pinaigting ang interes ng Presidente para maenhance ng remote learning,” she added.

The education chief specifically mentioned Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for spearheading efforts to provide more funding on remote learning.

“Even without the pandemic, you have to go to remote learning kasi ang advances ng technology napakabilis, bagong bago araw araw. Kailangan magkeep in touch tayo, we need to move towards digitalization. Mas lalo nating pinaigting natin. Nakapalaking tulong ang dagdag ng budget para magrespond ng demand na ito, sa paghahanap na ibang paraan,” Briones said.

She also thanked the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for offering assistance to DepEd on various education initiatives.

“Lahat ginagawa ng administrasyong ito, dinidirect ng Presidente. Tumutulong ang DBM, DOF, DICT. Lahat nag-aambagan para patuloy pa rin ang edukasyon, may pandemic o wala, may giyera o wala, may bagyo o wala,” she noted.

In the media launch, Briones virtually joined fellow Cabinet Secretaries Karlo Nograles, Wendel Avisado (DBM), Eduardo Año (DILG), Rolando Bautista (DSWD), Delfin Lorenzana (DND), and Prospero “Popoy” De Vera (CHED).

With the theme, ‘Pamana ng Pagbabago’, the Cabinet secretaries gave a glimpse of the accomplishments of President Duterte’s administration for the previous year and the change that will be carried over to the next generation.

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