PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez as the new director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Malacañang announced on Friday.
Benitez replaced Suharto Mangudadatu, who resigned from his Tesda post effective July 31, to prepare for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“Benitez, representative of the third congressional district of Negros Occidental and chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Urban Development in the House of Representatives, brings with him a wealth of experience in education, development, and public service,” Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.
Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez. PHOTOS BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
“His extensive academic background and commitment to sustainable development make him a well-suited head of Tesda,” she added.
Garafil said the Marcos administration “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.”
“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,” she said.
Garafil said Benitez’s advocacy for digital transformation, education reform, and technological innovation would be crucial in steering Tesda’s programs to meet the demands of the evolving job market and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“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,” Garafil said.
“Benitez is expected to assume his new role immediately and will outline his strategic priorities for Tesda in the coming weeks,” she added.
Meanwhile, Garafil said the Office of the President extends its gratitude to Mangudadatu “for his dedicated service and contributions to Tesda during his tenure.”
Mangudadatu was appointed Tesda chief in June 2023. He is part of the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition, a political party posing to challenge the current BARMM leadership.
Mangudadatu was governor of Sultan Kudarat from 2019 to 2022 before he was succeeded by his son, Gov. Pax Ali Mangudadatu. He was mayor of Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat for two terms, from 1998 to 2004.
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