Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro Monday announced the new set of undersecretaries who will compose his team for addressing the issues in the basic education sector for the next six years.

“I am very happy to inform you that the present crop of DepEd officials is a re-affirmation that this government does not give in to pressure groups and that they were chosen based on their competence and dedication to public service,” Luistro said.

The DepEd chief added that the President has given him a “free hand” in choosing his team. “This is the team we will be working with in the next few years,” he said.

The four new undersecretaries were introduced to DepEd employees during the flag-raising ceremony Monday.

Of the four newly appointed undersecretaries, one is a career employee of over 40 years and the rest are new to DepEd.

According to Luistro, Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano has been with DepEd for 43 years. She is the lone career appointee, the only female in the group, and appointed to be the undersecretary for programs and projects. “Her long experience and historical knowledge of existing programs and projects make her fit to hold this position,” said Luistro.

The other members of the new administration are Undersecretary Alberto Muyot for legal and legislative affairs and new DepEd spokesperson; Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera for regional operations, and Undersecretary Francisco Varela for finance and administration.

Luistro said, “After much reflection, they decided to respond to the call to help make a difference and accepted my invitation.”

Quijano began her career as an elementary school teacher immediately after finishing her degree in elementary education at the Leyte Normal School. For more than 40 years, she occupied various positions focusing on primary and special education.

A cum laude graduate from the University of the Philippines College of Law, Muyot taught and practiced law. He taught at U.P., in the Angeles University Foundation, FEU-DLSU Law, Lyceum, and Miriam College. He also practiced law in both private and public capacity.

Muyot has also been designated as the official spokesperson of the DepEd in response to the directive given by President Aquino’s communications group.

Rivera is a known change and organizational development expert who served as a consultant to various local and multinational corporations. He is seen to fit the job perfectly given the changes planned in the government’s biggest bureaucracy. Before he was invited to join the Luistro team, he was consultant to Change Consultants, Inc. and HBC, Inc.

The new finance officer, Varela, has had a long experience in financial management and administration. He finished his degree in Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City as magna cum laude. He was president and CEO of the AB Capital and Investment Corporation before he was invited to join the education portfolio.

Luistro said that while newly appointed undersecretaries have been assigned initial responsibilities, the organizational structure of the department is still being reviewed.

“Prior to determining a formal structure, I have asked them to review and supervise their respective departments so as not to disrupt the day- to- day operations of the agency,” he said.