August 19, 2024 – After being appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. 3rd District Representative Cong. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Bantug Benitez was officially named as the new Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) today at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Bantug Benitez is the 15th TESDA Director General from Negros Occidental after the resignation of DG Suharto Mangudadatu.

DG Benitez’s grand aunt, Dr. Helena Benitez, was the one who supported the welfare of the out-of-school youth through a legislation, Republic Act 5462, that teaches livelihood skills and citizenship to these children of the National Manpower and Youth Center (NMYC) which is now known as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)