DepEd, EDCOM II sign data sharing agreement

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) on Thursday signed a data sharing agreement to commence the comprehensive national assessment of the Philippine education sector’s performance.

The signing of the agreement during the alignment meeting between the two bodies was led by DepEd Undersecretary Jose Arturo de Castro and EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee.

It was witnessed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, Senate basic education chairman Sherwin Gatchalian, and his House counterpart Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo.

Duterte, who was present during the alignment meeting, recognized the efforts of the Commission to push for reforms to address the education crisis and improve the country's education system.

In her opening speech, the Vice President highlighted DepEd’s MATATAG agenda which serves as the agency’s guide in solving challenges in basic education.

“In order to ensure quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education for our learners, we need to strengthen and sustain our collective efforts as a nation. We still have a long way to go. We need to be resilient. We need to do more,” she said.

The MATATAG education agenda was launched during Duterte’s presentation of the Basic Education Report 2023 in January.

The EDCOM II also presented its 28 priorities which center on Early Childhood Care and Development, Basic Education, Teacher Education, and Governance and Finance.

Joining Duterte in the meeting were DepEd Office of Secretary chief of staff Michael Wesley Poa, Usec. Annalyn Sevilla, Usec. Epimaco Densing III, Usec. Gloria Mercado, Usec. Revsee Escobedo, Asec. Francis Bringas, Asec. Dexter Galban, Usec. Gerard Chan, Asec. Omar Romero, Usec. Kristian Ablan, Asec. Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, Usec. Gina Gonong, Asec. Alma Ruby Torio, Asec. G.H. Ambat, Usec. Jose Arturo de Castro, and Asec. Amanda Santiago.

EDCOM II officers who were present were Senators Sonny Angara and Pia Cayetano, Representatives Mark Go, Kiko Benitez, and Khalid Dimaporo.

Members of the Advisory Council who also attended the meeting were Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ,  Rhodora Angela Ferrer, Maria Olivia Lucas, Dr. Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista, Dr. Chito Salazar, Alfredo Ayala, Irene Isaac, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and Dr. Milwilda Guevarra.—AOL, GMA Integrated News