Official Statement on the election of H.E. Sara Z. Duterte, Vice President of the Philippines and Secretary of Education, as President of the SEAMEO Council and Chair of the 52nd SEAMEO Council Conference

09 February 2023 – SEAMEO INNOTECH Center Director and former Education Secretary Dr. Leonor Magtolis Briones extends her warmest congratulations and utmost best wishes to Vice President and incumbent Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) Sara Z. Duterte on her election as President of the SEAMEO Council.

“We at INNOTECH are immensely proud of the direction that Vice President Sara Duterte is taking in achieving great strides in improving numerous aspects of education. In her recent Basic Education Report, we saw the identified challenges she has committed to address in her administration. Now as President of the SEAMEO Council, we are certain that the interregional and multilateral approach to education will further be enhanced,” said Dr. Briones.

The SEAMEO Council is the highest policy-making body of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, and its Council members are the Ministers of Education across 11 Member Countries,  nine Associate Members, and seven  Affiliate Members.

SEAMEO INNOTECH is one of the 26 Regional Centers, network and secretariat of SEAMEO, and focuses on providing innovative and technology-oriented solutions in addressing education concerns in the region.

“As one of the SEAMEO Regional Centers in the Philippines, and a strong partner of DepEd, INNOTECH is committed to addressing the needs of DepEd and to provide technological and innovative solutions. We stand ready, willing, and able to help accomplish the goals that Vice President Duterte has outlined for the education sector.” Dr. Briones added.