• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez as the new head of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Malacañang announced Friday, Aug. 16.
In a statement, Benitez said it is an honor for him to serve the country as the TESDA Director-General.
Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said that Benitez’s extensive academic background and commitment to sustainable development make him a “well-suited head of TESDA.”
“The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is confident in Benitez’s ability to lead TESDA towards achieving its goals of enhancing the technical skills of the Filipino workforce, promoting lifelong learning opportunities and driving economic growth through education and skills development,” Garafil said.
Benitez thanked the President for entrusting to him what he described as an “important porforlio”.
He also acknowledged those who nominated him for the position, including Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, different education organizations and his colleagues in the Second Congressional Commission on Education, local officials and civic groups in his district.
Benitez succeeded Suharto Mangudadatu, who resigned from his post to prepare for the 2025 local elections.
While he is moving to another role, Benitez said that he will not abandon the Third District.
“I will remain always to be at your service,” he added.
It was not determined yet who will serve as the district caretaker.
Benitez said that his new role is a full circle moment for him, nothing that it was his grand-aunt, Senator Helena Z. Benitez, who authored Republic Act 5462 which established the National Manpower and Youth Council, the progenitor of TESDA.
Benitez, who has a doctorate in Philosophy, is known for championing legislation that promotes new development paradigms balancing social equity, economic growth, and ecological sustainability.
As a lawmaker, Benitez served as the chairperson of the House committee on housing and urban development.
Benitez has a “wealth of experience in education, development, and public service,” making him qualified as the new TESDA chief, Garafil said.
She said that Benitez would assume his new role as TESDA director-general “immediately” to outline his strategic priorities for the agency in the coming weeks.
“His advocacy for digital transformation, education reform, and technological innovation will be crucial in steering TESDA’s programs to meet the demands of the evolving job market and the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Garafil said. | GB with PNA reports
