Marcos appoints Kiko Benitez as new TESDA chief

Metro Manila, Philippines- President Bongbong Marcos has named Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Bantug Benitez as the new director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) succeeding Suharto Mangudadatu.

Mangudadatu resigned last month to prepare for the upcoming Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections next year.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said Benitez will bring with him a wealth of experience in education, development, and public service. He is current chairperson of the committee on housing and urban development in the House of Representatives

Benitez was president of the Philippine Women’s University from 2010 to 2019. He also taught at the University of Washington-Seattle, the University of Asia & the Pacific, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cornell University.

“The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 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,” said the PCO.

The agency also said Benitez is expected to pursue his advocacies for digital transformation, education reform, and technological innovation which “will be crucial in steering TESDA’s programs to meet the demands of the evolving job market and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”