Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Saturday, Dec. 9, welcomed the recent OCTA Research “Tugon ng Masa” nationwide survey that named the Department of Education (DepEd) as the country’s most trusted and top performing government agency.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte (DepEd / MB Visual Content Group)

In a video message she reposted on her Facebook page, the official also recommitted to pursue excellence in education for the sake of the Filipino youth and the nation’s future.

She also hailed the roles played by teachers, government personnel, parents, private sector, and the stakeholders for the recognition that DepEd received, and thanked the Filipino people who continue to trust and support the education agency.

“Dapat po nating tandaan na hindi ito makakamit ng nag iisang namumuno o ng iilang tao lamang sa Kagawaran (We should remember that this cannot be achieved by one leader or a few people in the agency),” she said.

“Ito ay bunga ng kapit-bisig na pagtutulungan at pinagsama-samang kakayahan tungo sa iisang mithiin ng mga taong may pagmamahal sa bansa (This is born from the coordination and capacity sharing toward a common goal shared by a people who have love for country),” Duterte added.

Saying that she is honored by the recognition, the Vice President paid tribute to DepEd’s partners for their service to the country.

“Sa gitna ng anumang hamon na hinaharap natin, pati na rin sa mga darating pa, patuloy tayong lalaban para sa edukasyon at seguridad ng bawat isa, ng bawat bata — dahil ito ay ang angkla ng tuloy-tuloy na kaunlaran sa ating pinakamamahal na Pilipinas (In the midst of whatever challenges we face, and the coming ones, let us continue fighting for the education and security of each other, of each child — because this is the anchor of continued progress in our beloved Philippines),” she said.

Results of the non-commissioned survey conducted from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 found that 80 percent of the respondents were satisfied with DepEd’s performance. Only five percent said they were dissatisfied with the agency, while 16 percent said they were undecided.

Of the surveyed people, 79 percent said they trust the DepEd, while three percent said they distrust the agency that Duterte heads in a concurrent capacity. The remaining 18 percent were undecided.