EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones called on field officials of the Department of Education to continue their service to the poor and marginalized.

“We have to do justice, especially to those left behind. We have to ensure that the existing and effective DepEd programs are being implemented effectively to provide quality basic education,” Briones said.

“Ito ay kabilin-bilinan sa atin ng Konstitusyon,” she added.

Briones highlighted the importance of the future of education so that the government can identify the needs and necessities of the education sector in the next few years or decades.

“Gusto ko lang ipagbilin sa inyo itong ating pinakamamahal na Kagawaran ng Edukasyon na siyang pinakamalaki, pinakamahalaga, pinaka-importante, at pinakamayamang institusyon sa ating pamahalaan,” she said.

Briones also cited the need for initiatives to protect the mental health of learners and teachers.

“Paghandaan natin ‘yong mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kabataan. We have to prepare them for the future world that they are about to face,” she said.

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua urged the next administration to strengthen the assistance of the Department to the field offices and schools particularly by providing additional vehicles, laptops for learners and teachers and internet accessibility.