Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara assured on Thursday, July 18, that his leadership will "build" upon initiatives started by the previous administration and continue to pursue reforms benefiting the basic education sector.
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During the turnover ceremony, Angara delivered his first speech as Education Secretary.
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“Gagawin natin ang lahat para makamit ang mga pagbabago at reporma na naayon sa mga layunin ng isang Bagong Pilipinas (We will do everything to achieve the changes and reforms aligned with the goals of a New Philippines),” Angara said.
Angara considers his appointment as DepEd Secretary under President Marcos a “great honor.”
“Buong pagpapakumbaba kong tinatanggap ang katungkulan na ito, bilang tugon sa tiwala at hamon ng ating Pangulo na higit na pag-ibayuhin ang mga programa na magsusulong sa mataas na kalidad ng karungan para sa ating mga mag-aaral (With full humility, I accept this duty in response to the trust and challenge of our President to further enhance programs that promote high-quality education for our students),” he added.
Recognizing the past, looking forward to the future
Angara also acknowledged Vice President and former DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte and other DepEd officials present during the turnover ceremony.
“Sa loob ng dalawang taon, kayo ang naging sandigan ng ating mga mag-aaral at ng mga guro sa panahon ng mga suliranin (Over the past two years, you have been the pillars of support for our students and teachers during challenging times),” he said.
Angara expressed gratitude to Duterte and other DepEd officials for their cooperation and orderly transition.
“Ang trabaho n’yo ang magsisilbing MATATAG na pundasyon ng mga programa at proyekto na aming isusulong (Your work will serve as the solid foundation of the programs and projects that we will push forward),” Angara said. “We will build from what you have already started,” he added.
As a legislator for the past two decades, Angara has focused on educational reforms.
His past work includes expanding access and improving the quality of education through scholarships and enhanced educational assistance for underprivileged youth.
“As we assume our role and start a new chapter for DepEd, we will hit the ground running and learn as we go,” Angara said. “Allow us some time to dig deeper. In the coming days, we will outline our key priorities,” he added.
Angara, whose term officially starts on July 19, urged stakeholders to “work together” for teachers and Filipino youth.
“Education is a pillar of our nation’s progress,” he said. “And it is only through a nation’s efforts that education will be improved and made more effective. We need to work together,” he added.
‘Welcome to the chaos’
In her final speech as Education Secretary, Duterte welcomed Angara to DepEd.
“Welcome to the chaos, Sec,” Duterte said in jest, eliciting laughter from the crowd during the simple ceremony.
“We would like to warmly welcome Secretary Sonny Angara to the Department of Education Family,” Duterte said, urging the DepEd community to extend the same support they gave her to the new secretary.
“Sana ay kung ano ‘yung pagtanggap ninyo sa akin dito sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon nung ako ay dumating noong Hulyo 2022, ay ganyan din ang mainit na pagtanggap at pagmamahal na ipakita ninyo kay Secretary Sonny Angara (I hope that the warm acceptance and love you showed me when I arrived at the Department of Education in July 2022 will be the same warm acceptance and love you will show Secretary Sonny Angara),” she added.
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