'Rest in peace, Ma'am': DepEd mourns passing of former OIC Fe Hidalgo
The Department of Education (DepEd) mourns the passing of its former Officer-In-Charge (OIC), Secretary Dr. Fe A. Hidalgo.

DepEd, in a Facebook post, said the entire organization extends its “heartfelt condolences” to the family and relatives of Hidalgo who passed away on March 19.
“Flags in DepEd offices shall be flown at half-mast at this time of mourning,” the agency said. “Rest in peace, ma’am,” DepEd added.
70 years of service
DepEd said that Hidalgo dedicated her life’s work to the field of education --- serving the agency for 70 years.
“She started her career as an elementary teacher in the Division of Batanes in 1956,” DepEd said. “She also taught in Quezon City and Manila before serving as an educational researcher for the Department of Education and Culture (then DepEd),” the agency added.
Hidalgo, DepEd said, also led the Staff Development Division as a human resource management development chief.
In 1998, DepEd said Hidalgo became the agency’s Assistant Secretary for Programs, Projects, and Regional Operations; and Undersecretary for Programs and Projects in 2001.
In 2005, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo designated Hidalgo as officer-in-charge (OIC) of DepEd.
“We honor the indelible mark Dr. Hidalgo left in the Department,” DepEd said.
“Her passion for the education profession and her unwavering dedication to serve will always be remembered as her legacy in the agency and to the Filipino nation,” it added.