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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
COTABATO CITY (SDN) — “Congratulations to him (Secretary Sonny Angara) and we are looking forward for more fruitful engagement with him and DepEd and MBHTE,” says Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal on August 7, 2024.
Iqbal, head of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), relayed his felicitations to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara in a message to SDN – SciTech and Digital News.
This was after the congressional Commission on Appointments (CA) speedily confirmed Angara as DepEd chief on Wednesday, giving him the full authority to implement his vision for the department.
The head of the MBHTE, one of the 15 primary ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Iqbal also issued a separate statement on Angara’s appointment.
He assured the BARMM’s commitment in working together with the DepEd in realizing reforms in the country’s education sector.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. announced on July 2 his choice of Angara as his education secretary, subsequently appointing the former senator.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Secretary Sonny Angara on his recent appointment as the Secretary of the Department of Education. His exemplary service, dedication to public welfare, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of our nation make him an outstanding choice for this pivotal role,” the BARMM education chief says.
Iqbal, who wears many hats in the Bangsamoro peace process, described the appointment as timely, saying the education sector faces a gauntlet of numerous challenges and opportunities.
“His extensive experience in public service, legislative work, and advocacy for education reform will undoubtedly guide the Department of Education toward new heights of excellence and innovation.”
He said the BARMM and MBHTE are looking forward to a strengthened partnership with the DepEd under the new education chief’s leadership.
MBHTE eager to collaborate with Angara on raising quality of education
“Collaboration between our institutions is essential for realizing our shared vision of providing quality, accessible, and inclusive education for every child, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status,” he says.
“As we navigate the complexities of educational reform and development, we must work together to address the unique needs and aspirations of the Bangsamoro region. The MBHTE remains committed to fostering educational excellence, promoting cultural sensitivity, and ensuring our educational policies and programs align with our learners’ diverse backgrounds.”
Iqbal put his trust on Angara at the DepEd’s at the same time expressing confidence that his leadership will be characterized by a renewed focus on equity, inclusivity, and innovation in the country’s education system.
“The MBHTE is eager to collaborate on initiatives that will enhance the quality of education in BARMM and across the nation. We anticipate joint efforts in teacher training, curriculum development, infrastructure improvement, and community engagement, all aimed at nurturing the potential of our youth and preparing them for a brighter future,” Iqbal says.
He expressed wishes that Angara’s tenure at the DepEd would be characterized by transformative achievements, strengthened partnerships, and the realization of the BARMM and DepEd’s collective goal of empowering every learner in the Philippines.
BARMM’s MBHTE covers the whole of the Bangsamoro region, which was, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction. With the recent plebiscite at SGA, the BARMM now has eight new municipalities as residents voted “Yes”.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities (plus eight newly established under the SGA: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (✓)