AT exactly 2:21 PM on June 19, Vice President Sara Duterte went to Malacañang to resign as the Secretary of the Department of Education and Vice Chairperson of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Secretary Cheloy Garafil confirmed that President Bongbong Marcos Jr. accepted Vice President Duterte’s resignation.
Her resignation will be effective on July 19 after a 30-day transition period.
In her message, the Vice President emphasized that her resignation is not a sign of weakness.
“Fellow citizens, my resignation is not born out of weakness but from genuine concern for our teachers and Filipino youth,” according to Vice President Sara Duterte, Republic of the Philippines.
Despite her resignation, Vice President Duterte assured that she will continue to support the education sector in the country.
“Although I will not continue to lead the department, we will still promote the quality of education deserved by Filipinos. Even if I am no longer the Secretary of Education, I will remain a vigilant mother who stands for the welfare of every teacher and student in the Philippines,” stated VP Duterte.
Under Vice President Duterte’s two-year leadership at DepEd, various reforms were implemented for the development of the education sector, addressing both the needs of students and the concerns of teachers.
One of the reforms implemented by DepEd is the MATATAG Curriculum, aimed at raising the level of knowledge of the youth, especially in writing, reading, and mathematics.
Vice President Duterte also stood firm against CPP-NPA-NDF, criminality, terrorism, and illegal drugs to ensure the security of schools, students, and teachers.
The Vice President also did not forget the welfare of teachers, from their benefits and salaries to ensuring their proper working environment and rest or vacation.
Among DepEd’s accomplishments are the construction of more school buildings and classrooms and the installation of internet connections in schools.
“I did not do this alone nor I claim to have done so. I would like to take this moment to express my profound gratitude to those who part in this journey,” she added.
“To my DepEd family, Execom, Mancom, central, regional, division and school officials, teachers and non-teaching personnel, thank you for your unwavering support hard work and dedication to serve the Filipino people. Mabuhay kayo!” she concluded.
As DepEd Secretary, Vice President Duterte received high trust and performance ratings from various surveys.
DepEd was also recognized as a trusted government agency during the vice president’s stint.
