Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez (Facebook)

A full circle moment. 

That's how Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez described his appointment as new director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

"It is my honor to serve the country as TESDA director-general. I thank President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. for entrusting me with this important portfolio," Benitez said in a statement Friday afternoon, Aug. 16. 

"This new role is a full circle moment for me. It was my grand-aunt, Senator Helena Z. Benitez, who authored Republic Act (RA) No. 5462 which established the National Manpower and Youth Council, the progenitor of TESDA," he shared. 

"I also thank the different education organizations and my colleagues in EDCOM2 who nominated me for the position for their endorsement. I want to thank also my colleagues in the House, especially to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, for their support," Benitez said. 

"I also want to convey my respects to Secretary/Governor Teng Mangudadatu for his outstanding work in TESDA. I vow to build on his accomplishments as we aim to leverage innovation to upskill our youth and workforce to enhance their competitiveness in a changing world," he added. 

Benitez will have to vacate his House seat due to his appointment by Malacañang. He is the chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development in the 19th Congress. 

''The right person' 

One of his first well-wishers was Pinuno Party-list Rep. Howard Guintu. 

"Congratulations to Congressman Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez for his appointment as Secretary of the [TESDA]! His track record as a legislator and extensive educational background shows that he is the right person to take on the realms of TESDA," Guintu said. 

"We believe that his technical skills and experience will guide the TVET sector in producing more skilled and dignified workers in our country," he said. 

"In his capacity as the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, I look up to Cong. Kiko as one of my mentors in the House of Representatives. As a legislator, he has shown his expertise as a champion of education, housing and urban development, and creative industries," noted Guintu.