The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) to strengthen science education in the country, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Friday.

Angara underscored the importance of working together to advance science education and cultivate the next generation of scientists and innovators.

“We are fully committed to working together. One thing we discovered ‘nandoon sa kanta ninyo yung ang siyensiya ang sandigan ng maunlad na bayan’ (your song says science is the foundation of national progress). That’s the bottom line,” Angara said, referring to the DoST Hymn.

The DepEd chief also underscored the DoST’s mandate, as he had helped the agency secure more funds for its facilities and operations.

“Dati supporter niyo po ako sa Senado at ngayon (I was your supporter in the Senate and now) consider me one of your fans. Maraming salamat (Thank you) and congratulations. Looking forward to the inspired leadership of our three campus directors under our great Secretary Rene,” he said.

Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, meanwhile, said the team-up with the DepEd is a significant step in strengthening the country’s science, technology and innovation foundation.

“We are very happy with the appointment of former senator, now DepEd secretary, Sonny Angara because we believe the success of science, technology, and innovation really lies in our educational system starting from our youth,” Solidum said.

“We have been discussing how we can work together with them (DepEd) and help them as well in making sure that our reach would go beyond the Philippine Science High School system,” the DoST chief added.