EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones inducted 25 third level DepEd officials appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Briones administered the oath of the new officials at the Eugenio Lopez Center in Antipolo City, Rizal.

The education chief challenged them to passionately serve the agency and its constituents.

“Be faithful to your oath, be faithful to the terms of references, to the terms of your responsibilities. I think that is a tough challenge at this time because giving your faith and allegiance to a country, to a population of 100 million humans is the real challenge,” Briones said.

Among the inductees were Assistant Secretary Juan Valeriano Respicio IV, Central Office Directors Marivic Leano (Education Assessment), Joel Erestain (Palarong Pambansa Secretariat), Jennifer Lopez (Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development), Samuel Soliven (Bureau of Curriculum Development), Lope Santos III (Bureau of Learner Support Services) and Ariz Delson Acay Cawilan (Bureau of Learning Resources).

Regional Directors Ruth Fuentes (Region IX), Carlito Rocafort (Region XII), Tolentino Aquino (Region I), Evelyn Fetalvero (Region VIII), Salustiano Jimenez (Region VII), Nicolas Capulong (MIMAROPA), Francis Cesar Bringas (CALABARZON), Benjamin Paragas (Region II), Assistant Regional Directors Pedro Escobarte Jr. (VI), Ronald Castillo (I), Bebiano Sentillas (VIII), Rhoda Razon (III), Florante Vergara (CAR ), Ronelo Al Firmo ( V ), Jessie Amin (II), Cristito Eco (VII), Maria Ines Asuncion (XI), and Fiel Almendra (CARAGA) were also sworn to office.

Respicio thanked DepEd officials for guiding third-level officials in crafting leadership philosophy that they can use in serving the public. He also challenged his fellow appointees to take an active role in forwarding the mission of the department.

“I trust that this breakthrough in our professional life will deepen our commitment to public service as we bring change to our perspective sphere of influence. As we remain committed to upholding the standards of selfless leadership, may we take meaningful strides and play an active role towards a better, stronger, and progressive Department of Education,” Respicio said.

During the event, Briones also recognized the agency’s Career Executive Service Officer Rank Appointees, including Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla.