SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, continued to champion education as he extended support to students in Cebu on Tuesday, January 21.
Senator Go reaffirmed his commitment to the Filipino youth, emphasizing the importance of investing in education. “Ang edukasyon po ay pundasyon ng ating kinabukasan. Ang pagsuporta sa mga kabataang Pilipino ay pag-aalaga rin sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” Go said.
Held at the Cebu Technological University in Danao City, a total of 371 scholars received snacks, shirts, pens, vitamins, basketballs and volleyballs. The senator, also the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, underscored the importance of sports as a tool for personal development, promoting his advocacy: “Get into sports, stay away from drugs, and keep us healthy and fit.”
The beneficiaries are also scholars of the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program from of Colegio de San Antonia de Padua, Inc., Northeastern Cebu Colleges, Inc., Rosemont Hills Montessori College, Inc., and Sto. Tomas College, Davao City, Inc. The CHED’ TDP is designed to provide critical support to deserving students, ensuring access to quality education.
Senator Go also extended his gratitude to the CTU administration and local officials for their collaborative efforts in supporting the students. He reiterated his commitment to advancing education and ensuring that opportunities for success are accessible to every Filipino youth.
The enactment of Republic Act No. 12077, also known as the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, demonstrates Senator Go’s dedication to upholding the dignity of Filipinos during times of crisis. This law, which he co-sponsored and co-authored, offers temporary financial relief to students with outstanding loans in the wake of calamities.
Senator Go earlier co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; RA 11984, or the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act”, which prohibits educational institutions from denying students the right to take exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006 or the “Free College Entrance Examinations Act”, waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; as well as RA 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers.
Furthermore, Go has co-authored and co-sponsored several bills to enhance access to education, including Senate Bill No. 1360, which proposes to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by amending RA 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, enacted during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo ‘yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo ‘yan kay Allah,” concluded Go.