Foodfindsasia | CLARK, PAMPANGA — The Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) convened the first Joint National Management Committee (ManCom) meeting, marking a milestone in Philippine education reform. The historic gathering highlighted a whole-of-government approach to address learning losses, disaster preparedness, and the evolving challenges in basic, higher, and technical-vocational education.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the unprecedented nature of the event:
“Historic in its nature ang meeting na ito dahil, for the first time, nagsama-sama ang tatlong pangunahing ahensiya ng edukasyon sa bansa upang matiyak na ang ating learning delivery ay handang tumugon sa hamon ng mga kalamidad.”
Fresh from leading relief operations in earthquake-hit Bogo City, Cebu, Sec. Angara joined CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez, and EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee to align efforts across agencies and tackle urgent concerns affecting the education sector.
Focus on Resilience and Human Development
TESDA Secretary Benitez opened the session by leading a moment of silence for disaster-affected Filipinos, stressing the importance of resilience:
“It is after all [important to be a] resilient nation, particularly when it comes to human development that we are all gathered here today.”
The plenary discussions centered on strengthening public-private collaboration, improving the employability of graduates, and ensuring that all education levels remain responsive to the needs of a fast-changing workforce.
Industry Partnerships and Career Pathways
Around 15 industry partners joined the Joint ManCom, underscoring the role of collaboration between government and the private sector in shaping future-ready graduates. Several partners shared their ongoing work with public schools, offering upskilling and career-aligned opportunities, and inquired about aligning these efforts into structured career pathways.
Key Agreements Signed
The event also paved the way for landmark education reforms. DepEd, CHED, and TESDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on data sharing, while TESDA and DepEd formalized a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to enhance Tech-Voc education under the Senior High School program.
The agencies also reviewed pressing issues surrounding the Technical-Vocational Track, its integration with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Tertiary Education Subsidy, and how inclusive programs can expand access to more Filipino learners. They likewise reaffirmed their joint commitment to the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF), which harmonizes education standards nationwide.
Unified Vision for Philippine Education
CHED Chairperson Agrupis described the meeting as a milestone in Philippine education:
“This is really a milestone for our country and for our trifocalized education system. This is the time that we will be together with our team for a common goal towards quality education and address the problem and concerns on the ground.”
With the Joint ManCom, the three education agencies reaffirmed their unified vision of resilient, inclusive, and quality education that ensures Filipino learners are competitive locally and globally.
