THE Department of Education (DepEd) officially changes its leadership in a turnover ceremony held at the main office on Thursday.
“Welcome to the Chaos,” Vice Pres. Sara Duterte – Republic of the Philippines | Outgoing DepEd Secretary said.
That was the opening message of Vice President Sara Duterte to the new Education Secretary Sonny Angara at the turnover ceremony held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office.
Included in VP Sara’s turnover were the flag, seal, and transition reports.
In her farewell speech, the outgoing Secretary enumerated her significant accomplishments such as the Matatag Agenda, K-10 Matatag Curriculum, Review of the Senior High School Curriculum, and the return of 27 million students to face-to-face classes.
Even programs that she can no longer finish due to her resignation, like the Matatag Center program, Matatag Portal, Digital Education, Overtime Pay for teachers, Revised Senior High Curriculum, and others.
VP Sara expresses ‘regrets’ over resigning as DepEd secretary, reveals reasons for her departure
According to VP Sara, she left the agency with a heavy heart.
“It’s a heavy heart to leave DepEd. I loved this job, and I loved my colleagues in DepEd, so I really have regrets because I really wanted to finish what are really the deliverables in the admin from DepEd,” VP Sara Duterte stated.
“We will build from what you have started… As we assume our role and start a new chapter for DepEd, we want to hit the ground running and we want to learn from all of you here as we go along,” according to Sec. Sonny Angara, DepEd.
VP Sara then shared the reasons why she decided to resign as Education secretary, stating that it’s a long story.
She also clarified that Liza Marcos had no involvement in her resignation.
“There is a personal between us, between me and President Marcos, which stems from what we talked about before I agreed to run for vice president, the reason is about the job, for the nation.”
“The First Lady had nothing to do with the work of mine and President Marcos so I said it, this needs a sit down because it’s not just one reason—there are multiple reasons and it all got jumbled up,” VP Duterte added.
For now, VP Sara’s time and attention are fully dedicated to the Office of the President after the turnover.
VP Sara will not serve in another cabinet post under the Marcos admin; to focus on OVP projects
According to the VP, she will no longer serve in any cabinet post under the current administration.
“I will no longer be serving in another cabinet post in this administration. Moving forward, we will focus on existing projects of the OVP, starting with our satellite offices, a legacy project of the OVP since the time of VP De Castro, Medical and Burial Assistance, our Advocacy Campaign for Change, and Free Rides. Now that my time won’t be divided between two offices, we are considering initiatives such as providing legal assistance for teachers, which I was unable to accomplish at DepEd, to be implemented under the OVP,” VP Sara added.
Meanwhile, despite resignation, VP Sara still leads in the latest Pulse Asia Survey.
According to the VP, although she doesn’t base their actions on surveys, she is grateful to those who continue to support her in DepEd and OVP.
