Non-teaching employees, education groups express full support for Sonny Angara

A group of non-teaching employees has reiterated its full support for the leadership of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, urging that he be given the opportunity to continue implementing reforms aimed at improving the quality of education.

In a statement, officers and members of the 48,000-strong Department of Education–National Employees Union (DepEd NEU) rallied behind Angara, stressing that sustained leadership is crucial in advancing reforms within the education sector.

“When he assumed the helm of the Department of Education, he brought with him his vast experience and concern in finding ways and means to improve the quality of education,” DepEd NEU national president Atty. Domingo Alidon said.

Alidon noted that Angara’s background in legislation underscored his deep involvement in education policy. As a congressman, Angara served as a member of the Congressional Committee on Education, while as chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, he led reviews of education agency budgets and pushed for increased fiscal support for urgent education interventions.

As DepEd secretary, Angara immediately undertook core programs focused on improving school facilities and essential infrastructure, Alidon said.

“Moreover, he earnestly worked to alleviate the plight of teachers by unloading them of the burden of having to perform administrative functions that take time away from their core function—teaching,” Alidon added. “To make it doable, he took steps to increase the number of non-teaching personnel to ensure that they are not overburdened by tasks that used to be performed by teachers.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Education acknowledged the growing support from education and private-sector stakeholders, with at least 18 organizations expressing confidence in the agency’s long-term reform efforts under Angara’s leadership.

In statements issued throughout the week, officials, partners, and stakeholders emphasized that stability and continuity at DepEd are essential in sustaining recent gains and in driving long-term solutions to the country’s education challenges.

Organizations that voiced support include the Association of DepEd Directors; the Philippine Association of Schools Superintendents; the National Association of Public Schools District Supervisors; the National Association of Public Schools District Supervisors, Elementary and Secondary School Principals and Teachers of the Philippines; the Philippine Elementary School Principals Association Inc.; the National Association of Public Secondary School Heads Inc.; and the DepEd National Employees Union.

“As senior officials of DepEd, we reaffirm our full confidence in his leadership. We remain united behind his reform agenda and firm in our commitment to work with him in delivering a more responsive, accountable, and learner-centered basic education system for the Filipino people,” the Association of DepEd Directors said.

On the ground, elementary and secondary school heads, as well as public school district supervisors, stressed that consistent national guidance allows field offices to effectively implement policies and programs while focusing on improving learning outcomes.

Business and advocacy groups—including Philippine Business for Education, the Makati Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, and the Association of Foundations—also issued a joint statement supporting Angara. Separate messages of support were likewise released by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and Davao del Sur State College.

The expressions of support reflect a shared belief that consistent leadership is key to sustained learning recovery and to ensuring that historic investments in the proposed 2026 budget translate into tangible gains for Filipino learners and teachers.

Support has also come from senators and other government officials, who cited Angara’s track record in education reform, integrity, and commitment to quality learning.

Angara welcomed the show of unity and reiterated DepEd’s commitment to inclusive, transparent, and sustained education reforms. The department noted that the groundswell of support strengthens efforts to accelerate systemwide reforms in 2026, particularly in addressing classroom shortages, expanding the hiring of teaching and non-teaching personnel, and strengthening early-grade learning programs.