The Department of Education (DepEd) has credited its more than 200 partners and supporters for its continuing rise in public trust and approval ratings.

To express its gratitude, the agency held an appreciation program to recognize its benefactors’ contribution to the agency.

Partnerships have become an important paradigm in delivering and achieving development goals and services.

In her keynote address, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones reiterated the importance of partnership in addressing the various needs in education sector.

DepEd Sec. Leonor M. Briones. She also reported the continued rise in public trust and approval ratings of the department for the past two years which she credited to their partners.

“Last September, we had the highest rise in ratings at 88 percent,” Briones said.

“The degree of the rating perhaps says that we are moving in the right direction. But again, we cannot do this alone, even if our budget will be increased every year,” Briones added.

“This is because there’s always a need, and you are the ones who know what is really happening. You are the ones who know because you employ our learners, our graduates and you know what still needs to be done,” Briones said.

The department especially recognized those who extended help in education through facilities and IT support packages, infrastructure, non-infrastructure, multi-component projects and support packages under the Adopt-a-School Program.

Meanwhile, undersecretary Tonisito Umali, also emphasized the importance of partnerships in education during his welcome message.

“Partnerships have become an important paradigm in delivering and achieving development goals and services,” Umali said.

“Through partnerships, all the necessary stakeholders get involved to address the immediate needs of our learners and invest to help bridge the gaps in the field of education,” he added.