‘Hit the ground running,’ solon tells new DepEd chief Sonny Angara

Sen. Sonny Angara answers questions from his colleagues as he defends Senate bill on the proposed New Government Procurement Act. (File photo from JOSEPH VIDAL / Senate Social Media Unit)

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from both the majority and minority blocs of the House of Representatives welcomed Senator Sonny Angara’s appointment as new Department of Education (DepEd) chief.

They believe Angara will bring to the department his vast experience.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday said Angara’s public service record makes him a good choice for the vacant post.

“We are pleased to welcome the appointment of Senator Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara as the incoming Secretary of the Department of Education,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“Senator Angara’s extensive experience, unwavering dedication and exemplary public service make him an outstanding choice for this crucial role,” he noted.

“Throughout his career, Senator Angara has demonstrated a profound commitment to enhancing our educational system and championing our students’ and teachers’ rights and welfare,” the speaker pointed out.

“His impressive background and notable legislative work and education policy achievements equip him with the expertise needed to lead the DepEd with excellence,” he added.

READ: Angara named as new DepEd chief 

Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said in a separate online interview that he thinks Angara is aware of the challenges faced by the education sector.

Romulo heads the House committee on basic education and culture.

“I wish him the best of luck, because I and Sen. Sonny were together at Edcom 2 (Second Congressional Commission on Education) and before in Congress. So, I’m sure he is aware of the challenges eh,” he told reporters.

“As I said, the position of a cabinet post is really a position of trust by the President eh,” he emphasized.

“So, whoever the President thinks is fit for that position, I think we all should support, especially if it will help ensure na (that) for education, the reforms needed will be implemented,” he said.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, meanwhile, dared Angara to address the problems immediately.

These issues include the demands of teachers and other education support personnel — like the review of the K-12 program and the improvement of working conditions.

“While it is good that a new DepEd Secretary has been named, we challenge Sen. Sonny Angara to hit the ground running and immediately address the education crisis in our country, as well as the long-standing demands of teachers and education support personnel,” Castro said.

“We urge the new secretary to face the challenges and problems of the K-12 program head-on and overhaul the system,” she told the new education secretary.

The post was left vacant after Vice President Sara Duterte stepped down from all her Cabinet roles last June 19.

The information was first relayed by the Presidential Communications Office, and was eventually confirmed by Duterte.

READ: Sara Duterte resigns as DepEd secretary, says Palace

Duterte did not provide a definite reason for quitting.

She only said her action was not a sign of weakness, as it was stirred by compassion for teachers and students.