President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez as the new Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday.
Following the resignation of former TESDA Chief Suharto Mangudadatu, Benitez was chosen to assume the position of Director General after he was endorsed by the Philippine Business for Education last month.
In a statement by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), they highlighted Benitez’s “wealth of experience in education, development, and public service” as something that makes him a well-suited head for TESDA.
“The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is confident in Benitez’s ability to lead TESDA toward 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,” the PCO expressed.
“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,” their statement added.
Benitez will continue to uphold TESDA’s vision as a key player, by providing high-quality education and training for Filipino workers, especially those in the most disadvantaged sectors of society.
In a separate post, Benitez expressed appreciation for President Marcos Jr. for appointing him, including his colleagues in EDCOM 2 for his endorsement.
“This new role is (a) full circle moment for me. It was my grand-aunt, Senator Helena Z. Benitez, who authored Republic Act No. 5462 which established the National Manpower and Youth Council, the progenitor of TESDA,” he wrote.
He also said that the job market had immensely evolved since 1969, posing a challenge for Filipinos to adapt to the new digital economy. To adapt to all the changes, Benitez vowed to upskill the youth and workforce to enhance competitiveness in the changing world.
The Office of the President also extended its gratitude to outgoing Director General Suharto Mangudadatu for his dedicated service and contributions to TESDA during his time.
Benitez is expected to assume his new role as Director General immediately. His strategic priorities for TESDA are to be announced in the coming weeks.
