MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Bantug Benitez as the new head of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Malacañang announced Friday.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said 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 replaced former TESDA director general Suharto Mangudadatu who resigned from his post to prepare for the 2025 local elections.
Garafil said the Office of the President is grateful to Mangudadatu for his dedicated service and contributions to TESDA during his tenure.
She s
aid Mangudadatu’s successor, Benitez, has a ‘wealth of experience in education, development, and public service,’ making him qualified as the new TESDA chief.
She said 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.
‘He will continue the administration’s commitment to upholding the vision of TESDA as a key player in nation-building by providing high-quality education and training to Filipino workers, particularly those in the most disadvantaged sectors of society,’ she said.
As a lawmaker, Benitez served as the chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development in the House of Representatives.
Benitez, who has a doctorate in Philosophy, is known for championing legisl
ation that promotes new development paradigms balancing social equity, economic growth, and ecological sustainability.
Source: Philippines News Agency
