THE SENATE on Tuesday (03 June 2025) adopted a concurrent resolution urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to create a Cabinet Cluster for Education.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 21 to ensure the cohesive and coherent implementation of education-related laws, policies, and reforms across all branches of the executive department.

Presented during the Senate plenary session, the resolution seeks to promote a long-term, integrated national education and workforce development plan that aligns the country’s educational goals with the demands of a rapidly evolving labor market.

“This resolution marks a milestone that reflects not only the collective wisdom of this Chamber but also our shared aspiration to reform and strengthen the Philippine education system,” Gatchalian said.

“As one of its authors, I join my colleagues in urging the President to proceed with the creation of the Cabinet Cluster for Education to pursue essential reforms and create an education system that is dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking,” he added.

Gatchalian emphasized that education remains a key driver of societal transformation but stressed that such transformation requires a unified strategy.

“In every corner of our country, education is becoming the key to change. But to achieve true change, a clear and cohesive plan is necessary—a direction that will drive us toward a common goal,” he said.

The proposed Cabinet Cluster would bring together relevant departments, bureaus, commissions, and offices within the executive branch to synchronize efforts in addressing longstanding issues in the education sector—including access, quality, equity, and relevance.

The cluster is expected to streamline coordination among agencies such as the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and others.

A staunch advocate of education reform, Gatchalian has long championed legislative measures aimed at improving educational outcomes, boosting teacher quality, and modernizing learning systems at all levels.

If established, the Cabinet Cluster for Education would serve as a high-level policy-making and coordinating body to support the country’s education roadmap, helping ensure that education policies are not only well-designed but also effectively implemented and monitored.

The resolution signals a strong legislative push to address persistent challenges in Philippine education, such as learning poverty, skills mismatch, and unequal access to learning opportunities.

“We owe it to our learners, educators, and future workforce to build an education system that truly empowers and equips every Filipino to succeed in life,” Gatchalian concluded.